Woolston dispatch Trojans from BARLA National Cup

Thornhill Trojans bowed out of the BARLA National Cup, beaten 44–10 by a Woolston side who finished far stronger. This was a full blooded and competitive cup tie for over fifty minutes before the host's blew the game open.

 

Woolston struck early when Jacob Proudlove hit an inside ball and powered away, on a rampaging effort from 30 metres after four minutes. Ryan Brown Brown added the first of six goals, then saw a 9th minute penalty attempt canon off the post. Thornhill settled down and replied from a scrum ten minutes later. Brad Llewellyn zipped left and delayed his pass perfectly to send Sam Ratcliffe down the edge, Ratcliffe converting from the touchline to level the game.

 

Both sides had moments where momentum could have swung. Woolston saw a potential try ruled out for an incorrect grounding, while Thornhill had to reshuffle when Llewellyn left the field with a shoulder issue. In the final minute of the first half, Woolston eventually worked the ball right for Ethan Jones to score, and Brown converted for a 12–6 lead at the break.

 

Thornhill stayed in the fight thanks to some outstanding defensive work from Zak Haigh, who denied a couple of Woolston tries. His effort kept Thornhill within touching distance.

 

The second half began with Woolston capitalising on an error, they pushed forward  before halfback Sean Kelly sliced through from close range. Thornhill almost hit back immediately — Llewellyn looked to have scored before losing the ball as he grounded it. Woolston then extended their lead after 49 minutes through youngster Ben Harrison, making it 20–6.

 

Thornhill responded instantly from the kick?off. Woolston spilled possession and Haigh pounced, racing away to score in the corner. At 20–10, the Trojans were still very much in the contest, and their travelling support had reason to believe the game was still alive.

 

But three tries in twelve minutes sent the host's through. Their handling and organisation began to tell as Thornhill’s defensive line slowed. Harrison grabbed his second with a smart finish on left after 55 minutes, and he was on hand to send Jake Rogerson diving over to finish another sweeping move after 63 minutes, before mobile prop Callum Smy stepped through a tired middle to score under the posts after 67 minutes. Woolston cut loose again but Matt Lightfoot was sin?binned for disputing the disallowed decision, Despite this, Woolston kept their tempo, with Harrison deservedly completing his hat?trick in the corner three minutes from time with Brown completing his goal haul to put them into the next round.

 

Skirlaugh, Leigh Miners Rangers, West Hull and Orrell St James all progressed after their opponents withdrew from the competition.

 

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