GILLETTE CONFERENCE YOUTH LEAGUE ROUND UP

By Gareth Marshall

East Region

CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE prevailed in a close encounter with BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL 20-14.

In a match where both sides’ half-backs controlled the game, it was the visitors who struck first on 12 minutes through Kelvin Lockett; Aiden Batey with the conversion. But centre James Senkiw hit back on 26 minutes for Lane, with the influential Nathan Fozzard adding the extra two points. Just three minutes later, Batey successfully booted a Dudley Hill penalty to edge his side ahead, before Fozzard crossed over just before the interval. The scrum-half missed his conversion but Lock Lane were 10-8 ahead at the break.

The second period saw more of the same with both sides looking as strong as each other. But it was Dudley Hill’s Sam Cryer who scored the half’s first try on 44 minutes; Batey with the conversion. From then on, the next score could have easily sealed the game and when Luke Hobson touched down for Castleford, the pendulum swung in Lock Lane’s favour. Fozzard converted that effort, and just four minutes later winger Ben Thompson crossed over to wrap up the win for the home side; Fozzard missing the kick on this occasion. 20-14 the full time result.

Elsewhere in the East Region, KEIGHLEY COUGAR CUBS won away at EAST LEEDS 12-26, HUNSLET WARRIORS were also successful on the road with a 6-54 victory at SADDLEWORTH RANGERS and HOLDERNESS VIKINGS overcame the HEMEL STAGS 46-4.

West Region

The first ever North v South Wales clash in competitive rugby league ended with the CPC BEARS coming away with a 22-29 win over the NORTH WALES CRUSADERS at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.

The game, which took place ahead of the Super League clash between the Crusaders and Leeds Rhinos on Friday night, was a fantastic advert for the game in the principality.

Rhys Morgan scored first for the Bears as he dived over from dummy half; Scott Amber with the conversion. Back came North Wales with wave after wave of attack, which was finally rewarded when Tom Robinson went over; Sam Kendall adding the two points. The Carmarthen based side hit back when Matthew Roebuck scored in the corner, Amber with the conversion. Andrew Oakden then went over for North Wales after a quick tap penalty, Kendall converting, but Aled Jones touched down on the interval with Amber adding the extras to give the Bears a 12-18 half time lead.

Sion Williams scored the first try of the second half for CPC, with Amber continuing his success with the boot. But once again, the North Walians came back and Jamie Roberts eventually crossed over to keep in touch, but the conversion was missed. Amber then hit a drop goal for the Bears, but when Owain Jones scored for the home side and Kendall added the extras, North Wales were just three points behind. Robinson was agonisingly held up over the Bears line, before two Amber penalties in the last 10 minutes tied up the win for CPC in a pulsating encounter. 22-29 to the Bears.

League leaders INCE ROSE BRIDGE hammered bottom side WIDNES WEST BANK 62-4 at Pinfold Street.

Three tries from Michael Houghton were followed by scores from Peter Wright, Declan O’Loughlin and four goals from Kenny Baker to give Rose Bridge a 28-0 advantage at the interval.

West Bank stunned their opponents after the restart as Josh Cassidy completed a quality move to put his side onto the score sheet. But that was as good as it got for the visitors, as their hosts went on to post a big score. Tries from Conner Matthews (2), Baker and O’Loughlin, as well as the try of the match from Andrew Cunningham which saw him throw a dummy on half way before showing great pace to score under the sticks. Bradley Roden also added six goals in the second half to give Rose Bridge a comprehensive victory.

Two quick tries either side of half time ultimately proved decisive as the HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS ran out 38-18 winners over CROSFIELDS.

Strong running by the Hornets forwards was simply too much for Crosfields to handle. First half tries for the home side by Sam Clarke, Matt Reid and Danny Price, coupled with the latter adding a penalty and three conversions gave Halton Farnworth a strong position. Avi Jomal scored the visitors only try of the opening 40 minutes, Josh Blackburn-Woods converting, to leave the half time score at 20-6.

Tom Arnold scored two minutes into the second half for the home side, Price adding the conversion. Jack Harper did hit back a few minutes later for Crosfields, but they began to tire which made it easier for the Hornets to play open, free flowing rugby. Reid scored his second try and Femi Adeptun also got on the score sheet to complete a comfortable afternoon for Halton Farnworth. Price successfully booted every kick for his side to leave the full time score at 38-18.

Elsewhere, fresh from their triumph on Friday, the CPC Bears followed that up with a 48-10 victory over the RYLANDS SHARKS on Sunday. Also, it finished LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 12 THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS 28 and WIGAN ST JUDES 42 LEIGH EAST 18.

Results

East Region:

Castleford Lock Lane 20 Bradford Dudley Hill 14
East Leeds 12 Keighley Cougar Cubs 26
Holderness Vikings 46 Hemel Stags 4
Saddleworth Rangers 6 Hunslet Warriors 54


West Region:

CPC Bears 48 Rylands Sharks 10
Halton Farnworth Hornets 38 Crosfields 18
Ince Rose Bridge 62 Widnes West Bank 4
Leigh Miners Rangers 12 Thatto Heath Crusaders 28
North Wales Crusaders 22 CPC Bears 29 (Friday night)
Wigan St Judes 42 Leigh East 18