CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE NATIONAL – WEEK 2 – REPORTS
RESULTS
Saturday 24th April
Warrington Wizards 40-28 Hemel Stags
Nottingham Outlaws 38-30 Dewsbury Celtic
Featherstone Lions 32-30 Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
Sunday 25th April
Liverpool Buccaneers 18-32 Bramley Buffaloes
Kippax Knights Postpd Carlisle
NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS 38 DEWSBURY CELTIC 30 – The Bay
Nottingham winger Melbourne Weir’s 64th minute try saw the Outlaws grab their opening win of the season against a Dewsbury outfit that had staged a terrific comeback and deservedly took a bonus point from the encounter.
The visitors had trailed 22-4 after barely a quarter of the contest but struck back to level at 30-all just before the hour, only to succumb to two late Weir touchdowns.
Coach Martin Crick was again missing from the Outlaws touchline as he was still stranded abroad due to the volcanic ash cloud, which meant academy coach Joe Shepherd stepped up to take control of first team affairs along with senior players Paul Calland, George Strachan and Simon Morton.
Oliver Crick was a late withdrawal from the home squad as he failed to recover from a bicep injury picked up in training so Rob Brown started at hooker in his absence.
Also missing was full-back Will Thomas, who picked up a knee injury in the defeat against Liverpool, long term absentee Tom Tsang and a number of students currently playing in their internationals.
On a positive note for the Outlaws, Chris McNamara, who played the back end of last season with Doncaster, students Tom Cliffe and Freddie Humphreys and Nathan Walmsley all made their first appearances of the season.
The visitors struck first, centre Danny Crabtree crashing over but four tries in barely eight minutes put the hosts in control.
Simon Perry found a gap in the Dewsbury defence to bring the sides level, Calland converting and the East Midlanders increased their advantage on the back of a superb break from Adam Millward who raced 60 metres before releasing McNamara with an inside pass.
Confusion among the Dewsbury players gifted the Outlaws another try just five minutes later. With the Yorkshire side looking to settle themselves back into the game and start building an attack, they dropped the ball on their own 20 metre line and stood waiting for the referee's whistle which did not come and Outlaws captain Calland gratefully picked up and went in for a simple score.
Soon after, Strachan broke through the line and fed the ball to McNamara who went in for his second touchdown.
Celtic pulled a try back through linking full back Danny Thomas but the Outlaws responded with one of their own on the stroke of half time.
McNamara dealt with a high bomb from a Dewsbury attack and showed slick footwork before finding on-rushing Jez Cox his off load, as he was met by Thomas, finding Dom Walsh who made the score 26-8 at half time.
The visitors made a more determined start to the second period and were soon on the board as they took advantage of some slack play by the Outlaws.
On the first play from a scrum, Nottingham knocked on, Dewsbury recovered the ball and one play later James Halmshaw touched down with Nicky Crabtree adding the extras from the touchline.
With their attack gaining the upper hand, Celtic put more points on the board through Joe Waters three minutes later, Nicky Crabtree again converting to bring them to within six.
Cliffe gave the Outlaws more breathing space with a try down the right hand side but Dewsbury had the momentum and Danny Crabtree sped in for his double on their next attack.
He completed his hat trick almost immediately, profiting from a knock on in his own half by Weir, Nicky Crabtree’s goal levelling.
Wary of their similar late collapse against Liverpool the week before, Weir responded with a try from seemingly nothing; McNamara’s troublesome running again creating room up the middle for the Outlaws to work the ball down the right before switching play left with quick passes for Weir to do the rest.
With Morton switched to hooker, the Outlaws finished strongly and with three minutes left they secured the win with another try for Weir down the left touchline following nice work from McNamara and Cox.
OUTLAWS
1 Nathan Walmsley, 2 Dom Walsh, 3 Steve McNamara, 4 Simon Chilcott, 5 Melbourne Weir, 6 Paul Calland, 7 James Lewis, 8 Adam Millward, 9 Rob Brown
10 James Sadler, 11 Simon Perry, 12 Jeremy Cox, 13 Simon Morton, Subs (all used); 14 Tom Cliffe, 15 Rory McQueen, 16 George Strachan, 17 Christian Humphreys
Tries: Perry (12), McNamara (13, 20), Calland (17), Walsh (39), Cliffe (51), Weir (64, 77)
Goals: Calland 3
CELTIC
1 Danny Thomas, 2 Nicky Crabtree, 3 Danny Crabtree, 4 James Eatherley, 5 Jack Millington, 6 Scott Oyston, 7 Josh West, 8 Lee Wilkin, 9 Tom Perks, 10 Danny Lee
11 James Halmshaw, 12 Liam Walmsley,13 Eddie Kilroy, Subs (all used); 14 Andy Gibson, 15 Ben Diskin, 16 Joe Waters, 17 Rob Senior
Tries: D. Crabtree (4, 54, 57), Thomas (28), Halmshaw (42), Waters (48)
Goals: N. Crabtree 3
Men of the match: OUTLAWS – Steve McNamara CELTIC – Lee Wilkin
Half time: 26-8
Referee: Chris Waywell
FEATHERSTONE LIONS 32 HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS 30 – Millpond
Lions were seemingly well in command in this derby clash, leading 32-14 on the hour but were holding on at the end after a Lee St Hilaire-inspired comeback by the visitors, for whom Richard Aka scored a genuine hat trick.
Aka had the first chance, having a try chalked off early on, Paul Watson responding for the Lions, going in to opening the scoring following a fine 30 metre break.
Winger Mick Jedynak’s excellent solo run set the position for Stu Davies to double the home lead when he went in out wide, Jedynak, Mark Kear and Aide Mullachy in control for the Lions.
Tom Anthony, St Hilaire and Nathan Williams got the visitors back in contention, Aka sweeping up a loose ball and racing 90 metres for his first touchdown.
Eight minutes later, crisp handling among the Rangers backs saw Adam Ryder send in Aka but a minute before the break Featherstone hit the front again, Scott Glassell with the break and Mullachy putting Jedynak across, Richard Frankland converting to make it 14-8.
Loose forward St Hilaire’s excellent break saw Aka speed in from 45 metres for a superb try, Anthony levelling with the extras.
Lions allowed the re-start to go dead but recovered when Mullachy again found Jedynak and he finished well and, on 55 minutes, a Byron Cooper chip over from a scrum was pounced on by Steve Lawrie who raced over from 50 metres.
Watson’s second try and Frankland’s fourth goal made it 32-14 and the home side were seemingly cruising but Ryder went in from 70 metres and the momentum changed.
Another St Hiliare break sent Ryder over again on 73 minutes and again Lions put the ball dead and paid the penalty.
Anthony’s break sent Craig Williams to the try line, namesake Nathan bringing Rangers to within two points with two minutes to go.
Leon Alexis-Bailey, Napoleoni Vinaka and St Hilaire all went close in the closing set but spirited defence from Danny Richardson and Daz Fisher just held them at bay.
LIONS
1 Byron Cooper, 2 Mick Jedynak , 3 Stu Davis , 4 Steve Lawrie, 5 Richard Frankland , 6 Craig Machin , 7 Scott Glassell, 8 Daz Fisher, 9 Paul Watson, 10 Mark Kear, 11 Danny Richardson,12 Ryan Denton, 13 Mark Spears , Subs (all used); 14 Aide Mullachy, 15 Jodie Griffiths, 16 Arron Thirling, 17 Kyle Littlewood
Tries: Watson (10, 60), Davies (18), Jedynak (38, 48), Lawrie (55)
Goals: Frankland 4
RANGERS
1 Nathan Williams, 2 Richard Aka, 3 James Smith, 4 Adam Ryder, 5 Leon Alexis-Bailey, 6 Stephen Berry, 7 Tom Anthony, 8 Victor Smith, 9 Adam Carroll, 10 Napoleoni Vinaka,11 Tom Sharrock, 12 Craig Williams, 13 Lee St Hilaire, Subs (all used), 14 Neil Barrett, 15 Alex Battye,16 Darren Hawkyard, 17 Dave Valentine
Tries: Aka (27, 34, 42), Ryder (70, 75), C. Williams (78)
Goals: Anthony, N. Williams 2
Men of the match: LIONS – Mick Jedynak RANGERS – Richard Aka
Half time: 14-8
Referee: Neil Aspey
WARRINGTON WIZARDS 40 HEMEL STAGS 28 – Wilderspool
Wizards opened there home campaign with a thrilling Wilderspool win against their old foes who battled for a bonus point.
Warrington took control on seven minutes when awarded a penalty for offside which gave full back Chris Campbell the opportunity to score between the posts after great passes from half back Ian Stevenson and loose forward Alan Reddecliff.
Hemel hit back on 10 minutes with a short pass sending Ben Joyce powering over to level.
A drive by substitute Carl Leach was followed by some quick hands across the home line which ended with centre Dave Yii scoring in the corner.
Wizards increased the lead when a high kick from Stevenson was chased by winger Darren Forshaw who managed to elude Hemel winger Chris Woods and race 40 metres to score.
Two minutes later, a run by Yii found Reddecliff in support to cross in the corner, with Ayres adding a touchline conversion for his third goal.
Jono Smith broke through the Hemel defence and sent in Campbell for his second try, Ayres giving the Wizards a 28-6 half time lead.
Shortly after half time, Hemel pressured the Wizards line, prop Tim Stevens powering over but Warrington responded with another cross field kick from Stevenson which saw a knock on by the Hemel side.
The referee allowed the advantage and Yii picked up to post his second try in the corner and again Ayres kicked the conversion from out wide.
Joyce grabbed his double for the Stags, again converting his own effort and the visitors moved to within ten points when loose forward Jason Price broke through to score to the right of the posts.
Smith stopped their revival with another fine break which ended with Forshaw’s short ball on the inside to the waiting Stuart Pirrie which saw him go over by the posts.
Hemel’s determination saw them gain a deserved reward three minutes from time when Woods scampered in.
WIZARDS
1 Chris Campbell, 2 Craig Middlemore, 3 Dave Yii, 4 Stuart Pirrie, 5 Darren Forshaw, 6 Ian Stephenson, 7 Warren Ayres, 8 Shaun Gilmour, 9 Wez Lawton, 10 Matt Clarke, 11 Jono Smith, 20 Matt Taylor, 13 Alan Reddecliff, Subs (all used); 14 Billy Maunder, 15 Graham Healey, 18 Tom Wild, 17 Carl Leach
Tries: Campbell (7, 25), Yii (14, 54), Forshaw (18), Reddecliff (20), Pirrie (74)
Goals: Ayres 6/7
STAGS
1 Barry John Swindells, 2 Ashley Fyson , 3 Jamie Acton, 4 Oliver O’Mara, 5 Chris Woods, 6 Blake Kirby, 7 Robbie Witts, 21 Aaron Hall, 9 Gareth Swindells, 10 Tim Stevens, 11 George Stevens, 12 Mat Mizzi, 13 Jason Price, Subs (all used) ; 14 Olly Hamburg, 15 Connor Boyd-Barnes, 16 Ben Joyce, 17 Sam Geddas
Tries: Joyce (10, 59), T. Stevens (48), G. Stevens (69), Woods (77)
Goals: Joyce 4/5
Men of the match: WIZARDS – Jono Smith STAGS – Aaron Hall
Half time: 28-6
Referee: Ian Curzon
LIVERPOOL BUCCANEERS 18 BRAMLEY BUFFALOES 32 – Leyfield Road, Sunday
Bramley made it two away wins from two in the defence of their crown as they successfully negotiated the challenge of Liverpool Buccaneers.
This was a clinical display from the champions in what appeared a tricky trip to Sefton, rattling up a 24-0 half time lead and then repelling the Buccaneers attempts to snatch a second half bonus point.
Both sides were deprived of key personnel with Liverpool missing four of the architects of the previous weekend's win; Jon Chamberlain, Andy Soutar, Steve Ormesher and Matt Garner, while Bramley were without the suspended Paul Drake and the injured Matt Mulholland.
Both sides had early chances, Bramley seeing Tony Williams force a repeat set but then having his pass intercepted before Buccaneers' Alex Williams went on a surging run towards the posts only for the final pass to go to ground.
Buffaloes began to go through the gears and, aided by Buccaneers' indiscipline, the pressure finally told when the quicksilver Tony Williams evaded a couple of tackles and went in for the opener by the posts, adding the extras himself.
Just five minutes later, half back partner Matt Booth joined him on the score sheet, dummying to create a gap and sauntering in.
Bramley were irresistible by this point and opened Buccaneers again from a scrum, Nicky Fontaine slicing through from Booth's pass from close range.
Although Alan Chadwick proved a handful with some strong drives for the home side they struggled to make an impression on the defence.
With three minutes to the break Bramley had the win sewn up when Tony Williams stole the ball one-on-one and had a clear run to the line.
With the result effectively decided, the attention now turned to the sub-plot of whether Liverpool could take a bonus point but that prospect appeared unlikely as their discipline continued to prove fragile and costly.
First Steve Alcock was sin-binned following an altercation when Buccaneers had actually won a penalty, then Peter Green was red-carded after disputing his own sin-binning five minutes later.
Two men down and 24-0 behind the hosts could have buckled but they demonstrated real passion, having a let-off when Jon Elliker spilled the ball over the line but hitting back when Kevin Cunningham drove close and Mike Forber scored a typical hooker's try, diving over from acting half for brother Sean to add the extras.
Bramley seemed slightly rattled, Fontaine sin-binned after halting a Sean Forber break for just too long, and from the penalty the outstanding Martin Gambles darted over for the try that took Buccaneers within two scores.
Immediately Bramley hit back, winning the re-start as Tony Williams drove the kick into touch and Dan Caston showing his strength and elusiveness to bounce off a couple of tackles and score.
Liverpool rallied and again the bonus point was in sight when Sean Forber picked off a slack Bramley pass on halfway and stormed in for the six-pointer but that reward was denied them as Bramley had the last word, Booth with the fine cut-out pass putting Jim Waddington in at the corner.
BUCCANEERS
Mark Ashton, Paul Scott, Mark Webster, Mark Forber, Jamie Hammond, Sean Forber, Martin Gambles, Alex Williams, Mike Forber, Steve Alcock, Kevin Cunningham, Peter Green, Kieran Lacey
Substitutes - Chris Atherton, Richard Bryant, Mike Astbury, Alan Chadwick
Tries – M. Forber (60) Gambles (64) S. Forber (71)
Goals - S Forber 3
BUFFALOES
Nick Fontaine, Jim Waddington, John Richardson, Dan Caston, Shaun Flynn, Tony Williams, Matt Booth, Richard Leese, Richard Hulme, Junior Brandford, Jon Elliker, Simon Speight, Jon Nicholls Subs - Craig Green, Alex White, David Parker, Andy McGann
Tries – T. Williams (9, 37) Booth (14) Fontaine (21) Caston (67) Waddington (76)
Goals – T. Williams 4
Men of the match: BUCCANEERS – Martin Gambles BUFFALOES – Tony Williams
Half time: 24-0
Referee: Michael Mannifield
CARLISLE CENTURIONS requested a re-arrangement of their match at KIPPAX KNIGHTS owing to injuries and player unavailability due to existing rugby league and union commitments.
There are no matches in the RLCN next weekend to allow players to visit Edinburgh. However, the Co-operative Rugby League Conference Premier and Regional competitions kick off in earnest, with the matches in Scotland forming part of the Murrayfield Magic Weekend and being played on the outside pitches at the stadium.
