The league groups & fixture structure in the National Conference League this season have been designed to make Covid protocols easier to facilitate.
A byproduct of the new structure is that we seem to have a tasty local derby fixture every weekend. It also emphasises how strong open age community Rugby League is in the town of Dewsbury.
To put it in perspective we have four clubs in our town who compete at National Conference League level. For example compare that with the town of Castleford which has always held the status of being a hotbed of our game. Yet Castleford only has one club in the NCL.With all our clubs having thriving junior systems, we really are doing superbly in terms of participation.
The standout game last weekend was Dewsbury Moor Maroons taking on Dewsbury Celtic. Both clubs had made strong starts to the season & it was no surprise that a close fought battle ensued. Moor were never behind at Heckmondwike Road but they could never establish a comfortable lead against their neighbours from Crow Nest Park.
Moor led 14 – 10 at half time & the final margin remained at four points as they won 20 – 16 .George Croisdale notched a brace for Moor with other touchdowns coming from Jordan Foster & James Delaney.
Aiden Ineson & Bradley Foster kicked a goal each. Tries from Nathan Waring, Tom Botts & Charlie Heaton kept Celtic in the hunt with Heaton also kicking two goals.
Dewsbury Moor are currently second in group E with Celtic in hot pursuit in third spot. The leaders are Eastmoor Dragons & they maintained their 100% record with a 28 – 16 home win over Shaw Cross Sharks.
It was a gutsy effort from Cross who were level 12 – 12 at half time. Two late tries from Eastmoor ended the gallant Sharks momentum. Tennison Neagle, Declan Brereton & Bradley Baines crossed for the Leeds Road men with Josh Pinder slotting two conversions.
There was more Covid frustration for Thornhill Trojans as their home game against Underbank Rangers was postponed. Two Trojans players tested positive for Covid & this obviously caused problems for training sessions as other players could not risk having to isolate and having to take time off work. The positive tests were not Rugby related but clearly caused problems for the Overthorpe Park men & after consultation between Trojans secretary Andrew Byram & the NCL the game was called off .
The same issue also impacted on the Trojans A team fixture at Silsden Storm in the Yorkshire League with that game also biting the dust.
So what is happening in the community games flagship league this weekend ?
Once again we have a mouth watering cross valley battle in prospect as Dewsbury Moor Maroons make the trip to Batley Boys. Crow Nest Park stages the game of the weekend as unbeaten leaders Eastmoor Dragons provide the ultimate challenge for Dewsbury Celtic. Hopefully Thornhill Trojans will get back into action with an away game at Featherstone Lions.
The Yorkshire Mens League is looking very competitive this season. This was epitomised by a superb contest between Mirfield Stags & King Cross Park. The Stags narrowly losing 34 – 28.
Dewsbury Moor found the going tough in South Yorkshire as they went down 40 – 10 at Dodworth Miners.
This coming weekend sees Mirfield at home against Fryston in a game that will be well worth watching as there is a big rivalry between those two strong clubs.
Ossett Trinity Tigers host Wakefield Warriors in another attractive contest. Dewsbury Moor welcome Garforth Tigers whilst Shaw Cross travel to Stanley Rangers.
Hopefully Thornhill Trojans A will return to action at Overthorpe Park against Queensbury.
Results from the Yorkshire Junior League last weekend:
Under 16s
Normanton Knights 30 Dewsbury Moor 26
Shaw Cross Sharks Blacks 36 Newsome Panthers 0
Under 15s
Thornhill Trojans 12 Elland 28
Dewsbury Moor 12 Normanton Knights 38
Gateshead Storm 42 Shaw Cross Sharks 20
Under 14s
Oulton Raiders 48 Dewsbury Moor 6
Shaw Cross Sharks Reds 26 Birkenshaw Blue Dogs 10
Under 13s
Lock Lane Spartans 26 Shaw Cross Sharks Blacks 6
Under 12s
Dewsbury Moor 16 Featherstone Lions 22
Shaw Cross Sharks Blacks 36 Hunslet Club Parkside 14
West Bowling 12 Thornhill Trojans 54
Girls Under 16s Premier Division
Dewsbury Moor 0 East Leeds 50
Girls Under 14s
Hull FC 0 Shaw Cross Sharks 64
Well done to the Sharks girls – That is an impressive scoreline.
