24 Apr 2023

NCL Round-up - Pilkington Recs return to winning ways against Skirlaugh

Following a couple of losses on the bounce, Pilkington Recs battled through to claim victory in an entertaining game against Skirlaugh in Impact Performance National Conference League Division One.

There was little to choose between the teams throughout, indicated by early efforts when Ian Stanley put Callum Lyon away on the left and he was just forced in touch while at the other end, Skirlaugh prop Jack Gay knocked on near the line.

Hooker Jon Gay then forced an error from Pilks Jon Keys with a forceful challenge.

The visitors took advantage with a try from a scrum, centre Billy Wardellmaking his way through three tackles to score and second row Alex Gilby converted.

A knock-on from the restart piled pressure on Skirlaugh and Recs took advantage when a deft kick Tom Connick was taken superbly by Josh O'Connell, but it proved too far out for Kieran Knapper to convert.

Six minutes later, Skirlaugh stretched their advantage with a smart try. Steve Batty found the smallest of holes in the defence with a dummied pass and shot through, running twenty-five metres before handing on to halfback partner Harrison Morrow to go the rest of the way. Gilby goaled and it was 4-12.

The visitors were looking good until the 24th minute when Josh O'Connell intercepted and blazed 80 metres for an unconverted try.

Pilkington Recs saw a further try ruled out on the half-hour when Andy Morris was judged to have made a double movement. The hosts responded three minutes later when on the back of an intercept, and some solid set-up play, fullback Ben O'Connell kicked left and Lyon raced on to ground. This saw the sides go in level at the break 12-12.

Early in the second half, Ben O'Connell showed his class again with a long kick return, but it was Skirlaugh that deservedly returned to the lead when outstanding Josh Oliver fended his way over for a try goaled by Gilby.

It stayed that way until the hour, when Knapper scored from a Ryan Liptrot pass, although the wayward goal-kicking continued for the Pilks halfback. Five minutes later, Skirlaugh threw another intercept pass as Jack Gay looked to send his outside backs away only for Ryan Stephens to then run thirty metres to the posts. For the first time, Knapper goaled and Pilks led 22-16.

Morris made sure of the league points with a 72nd-minute touch down, bulldozing through from close range with Knapper's second goal giving the hosts a 28-18 win.

Elsewhere in Division One there was a last-gasp win for Egremont Rangers over Heworth, while Stanningley produced a great result at league leaders West Bowling. Crosfields enjoyed a comfortable win over Thornhill
Trojans while Oulton Raiders just held off Featherstone Lions and Ince Rose Bridge beat Clock Face Miners.

In the Premier Division York Acorn picked up an impressive win over Thatto Heath Crusaders while Wigan St Pats won their first game of the year with a battling performance against Lock Lane. West Hull held off the challenge of Siddal to win away from home while league leaders Hunslet ARLFC
kept Kells scoreless. Wath Brow Hornets kept up the pace with a win at Leigh Miners Rangers while Rochdale Mayfield scored sixty points to send Hull Dockers home with nothing.

In Division Two there were big wins for Wigan St Judes and Shaw Cross Sharks against East Leeds and Normanton Knights respectively. Dewsbury Celtic and Dewsbury Moor Maroons kept up the good form for the Dewsbury clubs with wins over Milford and Barrow Island while Woolston Rovers battled to victory in an altogether closer encounter at Saddleworth Rangers. League Leaders Waterhead Warriors had to battle hard for success at improving Myton Warriors.

Eastmoor Dragons battled their way to an away victory at Seaton Rangers while Oldham St Annes kept Beverley scoreless in Division Three while Leigh East claimed a notable home win over Millom, Drighlinton won at Hensingham and Ellenborough Rangers had too much for Bentley.

Results

22nd April

Premier Division