A somewhat truncated weekend of local action but still plenty to discuss.
The National Conference League continued with its post Covid revamped league structure.
A Friday night thriller at Leeds Road saw Dewsbury Celtic come out on top 30-20 at local rivals Shaw Cross Sharks. The green & whites raced into an early 22-0 lead thanks to a brace of tries from Harry Copley plus a touchdowns from Mike Foulstone and Ben Yarrow. However they then had to withstand a Sharks fight back that narrowed the gap to 24-16. A Harry Copley hat trick score gave Celtic breathing space but Cross refused to go away & a late Eion Bowie try kept the home fires burning.
Earlier Sharks tries came from Brad Baines, Joe Halloran & Callum Barker. Five goals from Charlie Heaton played a significant part in keeping Celtic’s noses in front with Brad Baines kicking two for the Sharks.
This victory puts Dewsbury Celtic top of the fledgling League E table.
In second spot are Dewsbury Moor Maroons who ran riot against visiting Gateshead Storm. Moor led 44-0 at half time & extended that score to 72-4 by the final whistle.
Tobias Richardson & Jacob Flathers both notched hat tricks for the mighty Moor. Aiden Ineson grabbed a brace with other scores coming from Finley Bruce, Brad Adams, Ashley Boddy, George Croisdale & Brad Foster.
Those touchdowns were supplemented by three different goal kickers – Aiden Ineson saw the touch Judges flags raised 5 times whilst Brad Foster with 4 goals & one from Finley Bruce completed the big Maroons big total.
A big indicator that Covid issues still dictate the agenda came when Skirlaugh declined to travel to Thornhill Trojans for their scheduled fixture.
The east yorkshire club decided not to travel to the Kirklees district after the issues raised earlier in the week.
However this prompted the Trojans to stage an inter club Veterans v Youngsters game.
The veterans came out on top 36-34 which is perhaps not suprising when you consider they included former professionals David March, Paul March, Scott Woodcock & Matthew Roberts in their ranks.
Tries for the veterans came from David March, Jake Wilson, Ash Bragg & Josh Geary whilst ex Ram Matthew Tebb bagged a brace.
Five goals from Paul March & one from David March completed the scoring for the wise old heads! Jordan Lowther notched a hat trick of tries for the youngsters with others coming from Jake Hickling and Dylan Goodward. Casey Johnson kicked five goals.
The game was played for the Martyn Holland Memorial Trophy & raised funds for the State of Mind Charity. A fantastic hastily arranged initiative by the Trojans.
This coming weekend in the National Conference League sees more local derby action as the top two in League E meet each other in a mouthwatering clash.
It is Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Dewsbury Celtic on Saturday.
A game that will stir the imagination of local officiandos. Thornhill Trojans are scheduled to meet Underbank Rangers at Overthorpe Park whilst Shaw Cross Sharks make the short trip to Eastmoor Dragons.
Our local clubs in the Yorkshire Mens League took a bank holiday break but resume activity this coming weekend. In Division One Mirfield Stags host King Cross Park whilst Ossett Trinity Tigers travel to Almondbury Spartans in Division Two.
Division Four sees Dewsbury Moor head to South Yorkshire to take on Dodworth Miners.
Action in Division Five sees Shaw Cross Sharks welcome East Leeds & Thornhill Trojans travelling to the Aire valley to take on Silsden Storm.
Results in the Yorkshire Junior League:
Under 16s
Keighley Albion 10 Shaw Cross Sharks Blacks 50
Dewsbury Moor 24 Newsome Panthers 20
Under 15s
Dewsbury Moor 22 Thornhill Trojans 22
Batley Boys 26 Dewsbury Celtic 26
Under 14s
Castleford Panthers 24 Dewsbury Moor 36
Shaw Cross Sharks Reds 6 East Leeds 8
Under 12s
Thornhill Trojans 0 Farnley Falcons 30
Dewsbury Celtic 54 Normanton Knights 0
Girls Under 13s
Normanton Knights 8 Shaw Cross Sharks 36
An intriguing weekend ahead headlined by the Moor v Celtic derby. I am looking forward to reporting the action next week.
