Blackbrook win National League's Cross-Conference Championship Semi-Final against Orrell St James

Blackbrook tackled their way to victory in the NCRL's first Cross Conference Championship Semi-Final held at Victoria Park on Saturday, controlling the ball better for longer periods of time to squeeze past Orrell St James who left their comeback bid too late.

Brook, who finished fourth in the North West Conference, were coming up against fellow ex-North West Men's League opposition, St James, who lost only twice in the competition this year to win the league leaders.

The two sides have played against each other many times. This latest encounter saw Blackbrook settle into a rhythm early on with Daniel Ganson's inviting grubber kick to the in-goal just fumbled at the last second by prop Ryan Briggs. At the other end, Orrell St James went close when the impressive Jonny Griffiths was held up after seven minutes. After absorbing more Orrell St James attack, Blackbrook pounced in the 13th minute when Aaron Hyland jumped left out of dummy half, fixing the defence for unmarked Harrison Dean to race round to the posts for Dan Moss to goal.

Both packs were heavily involved with John Hutchings and Brad Gallagher prominent for St James, while Brook were indebted to the work of James Whalley, and outstanding second-row pair Josh Wilson and Conner Morley. Brook made the most of their next opportunity after 24 minutes when Moss called for the ball on the last tackle and stabbed a kick through that saw Wilson win the race ahead of team-mate Dean and Orrell fullback Jack Gallagher. Moss pulled the conversion attempt wide but the scoreline had moved on to 0-10.

The final ten minutes of the half saw Orrell dominate possession and field position but Blackbrook doggedly hung on with a noteworthy defensive stint that blunted the St James attack. Orrell emerged for the second half with more purpose and again lay siege to the Brook line, eventually crossing for their first points in the 47th minute. Half-back James Causey steepled a kick on the last tackle and Brad Calland just outjumped Dean to catch and force the ball down. Calland goaled to close the scoreboard to 6-10.

Despite best efforts Orrell St James couldn't release centre Callum Taylor with Jordan McManus opposite doing a tremendous job defensively while stand-off Mike Wynn came into his own for Blackbrook. Twice Brook looked to stretch the Orrell line but the ball fizzed into touch ahead of Luke Ward on the right while Josh Langley was hauled into touch down the left flank. It was left to Wynn to take the initiative with a superb close-range individual effort after 65 minutes. That stretched the Brook advantage to 6-14.

St James again responded with a period of tremendous pressure with Brook unable to clear halfway, and they made it count when after their forward onslaught was initially denied, clever work from Harry Mosley paved the way for Sam Lewis to go under the posts. Calland converted to close the deficit to two points, yet it was Blackbrook celebrating at the end as they stepped things up again to claim the narrow win and become the first team to qualify for the final in Bradford next Saturday.

Following the final whistle, Orrell St James' Head Coach Sean McHugh, said: "Blackbrook played really well, played conditions better than us, started better, their half-backs kicked better than ours. I think they fully deserve the win, I have no complaints. For us, it's just been a long season and we're probably ready for a break now. Overall it's been a successful season for us because it was the inaugural North West Counties NCRL, and we went and won that, which was the main focus for the season. We won the league, which was our focus at the start of the season. All around, it's been a really good season, but it's been a long season."

Winning boss Paul Gartland felt his side was a bit scratchy at times but praised their defensive efforts before talking about the contribution of Mike Wynn: "He's not played for weeks and weeks. Mike, he's had an in-and-out season, all season, he's missed a lot more than he's played. Should Paul Nash have been available to play today, he may well have started six or might have just missed out. So, fortunate sometimes, but yeah, he has that little bit of experience and he was smart there. He just stepped back inside and it opened up, and it's a great try. He's won us the game."

Full-time: Orrell St James 12 Blackbrook 14

Orrell St James

Tries: Brad Calland (47), Sam Lewis (78).

Goals: Brad Calland 2/2.

Blackbrook

Tries: Harrison Dean (13), Josh Wilson (24), Mike Wynn (65)

Goals: Dan Moss 1/3.