England students vs GB teachers - Match report

England Students and the Great Britain Teachers shared the spoils in a 20 – 20 draw at Widnes on Saturday afternoon.

The teachers went into the changing rooms 16 – 6 up, however, three second half tries from the students was enough to salvage a draw.

The result could have seen a winner, but numerous missed conversions from both sides ended this intriguing contest in a draw.

Despite the teachers being in front at halftime, the students opened the scoring after ten minutes when Jess Courtman crashed over from close range.

The teachers’ response was quick, three minutes after conceding, in fact. Katie Dean barged her way over for a converted try to level things up.

Stacey White drew some inspiration from her team-mate to put the teachers ahead, she used her strength to power over.

Two minutes before the break, the signs were pointing towards a teachers triumph when Laura Stanworth went in. The first missed conversion of the afternoon would prove to be costly later on.

The students couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second forty, Emma McCartney backed up Ash Prescott’s break from insider her own half.

Despite the promising start from the students, a knock on from the students inside their own half was punished when Stacey White sprinted away from the scrum.

The students scored themselves from a scrum too to make it a four point ballgame going into the final 20 minutes. Heidi Parker crossed with ease from a short-side play straight from the scrum. Courtman’s successful conversion got the students within a converted try from victory.

Five minutes from the final whistle, the students got the try they so desperately wanted. Jen Pendlesbury received a short pass to barge over the line to tie the match. The students failed to add the extras, with a draw crediting both sides for an entertaining contest.  

GB Students vs GB Teachers - Match report

Great Britain Students romped away to victory in the RFL Associations Cup at Widnes on Saturday in a 52 – 2 demolition over the Great Britain Teachers.

The students scored ten tries without reply from the teachers, with Chris Atkin converting six of them including one of his two tries.

Blake Mahovic grabbed a double too, and there were scores from Jack Howdle, Mark Webb, Josh Dixon, Lewis Weaver, Dan Parker and Anthony Squires.

The teachers did take the lead after the 12^th minute through a penalty goal from Josh Milnes, but, that would be the only occasion the teachers got on the scoreboard.

Seven minutes after, the students grabbed themselves two tries in the space of a few minutes. Jack Howdle burst through a big gap and Mark Webb raced away down the left to score.

The students were on a roll and didn’t look as though they’d be stopped before the half-time hooter. Atkin received an offload from Chris Barrett to touch down, and Josh Dixon went over from dummy half to extend their lead to 22 – 2.

Huge breathing space between the students and teachers was established six minutes from half-time. Blake Mahovic grabbed the first of his brace by sprinting away with ease.

The onslaught continued swiftly after the break when Lewis Weaver touched down, and some individual brilliance from Atkin soon followed. A terrific dummy unlocked the teachers’ defence and allowed him to get away unopposed.

The teachers weren’t going to go down without a fight, however, expansive play was punished when Anthony Squires intercepted a floating pass.

Students forward, Dan Parker, showed his strength to bump off attempted tacklers to power his way over the line.

Chris Atkin continued to show his importance for his side, his forty twenty set up the position for the influential half-back to send over Blake Mahovic for his second of the game five minutes from time.

GB Lionesses vs Armed Forces - Match report

The Great Britain Lionesses grabbed a resounding 40 – 4 win over the Armed Forces at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.

Two tries from the Lionesses in the space of four minutes was cancelled out by the Armed Forces’ solitary score at the twenty minute mark.

However, seven tries from the victors was enough to ensure a comprehensive victory in the Associations Cup.

The centre-wing combination of Kayleigh Bucman and Jodie Cunningham got the Lionesses the first two scores of the day. Cunningham squeezed her way over and Bucman went over in the corner unchallenged. Both conversions were missed.

Poor defending from the GB Lionesses resulted in the Armed Forces’ only try. Caz Roberts received a pass from a team-mate who collected an easy kick due to no numbers on the Lionesses’ left side to get over.

The Lionesses found some space of their own in attack to respond, Katie May Williams strolled over for an easy try.

Dawn Taylor collected a short pass from Jenny Welsby to go underneath the posts, the conversion was missed, as had the rest of the goals in the first half.

Jodie Cunningham restarted the scoring in the second forty for the Lionesses with a piece of individual brilliance. A scoot from inside her own half, was finished in the right corner.

Bucman followed her centre in getting her brace, a three on one overlap made it an easy touch down for the winger.

The Armed Forces showed signs of fatigue going into the final 20 minutes, Rihanna Marshall’s barnstorming run resulted in another four pointer, and the first time the touch judges raised their flags.

Charlotte Booth found a gap in the Armed Forces’ line to sprint to the posts and away from the defence, and Lois Forsell finished the scoring when she slammed the ball down from close range. 

Thatto Heath vs Hunslet Warriors - match report

Thatto Heath stretched their unbeaten run to six games with a 32 – 16 victory over the Hunslet Warriors at Crusader Park.

The home side went 14 – 6 up at the break despite the Warriors holding the lead for 20 minutes with a converted try from James Baker.

Both teams lost a man each in the second half for ten minutes for fighting, the Crusaders made best use of the sin bins by scoring two crucial tries in five minutes.

The Warriors will have felt unlucky to have a try disallowed in the second half for crossing. However, Lee West got over with 14 to go, only for his try to be cancelled out by Andrew Stott to seal the points for the hosts.

It took only four minutes for the home side to get the scoreboard ticking over, Chris Frodsham dummied his way through and dived over to touch down.

The travelling side hit the front for the only time in the game when Daryl Gaunt’s forty twenty laid the platform for Baker to scoot from dummy half to score. Gary McClelland added the extras.

Two tries just before halftime for Thatto Heath got them back on top. Adam Walsh broke the line and sprinted away to restore their lead, and Sean Leicester also found a gap in the Warriors’ line to cross.

Caldon Bravo gave his side the perfect start to the second forty when he crashed over after a barnstorming run to the line. McClelland’s conversion got Hunslet within two points of Thatto.

With Matty Fox and Luke Bradshaw in the sin bin, Dave Pike slid over, and Louis Taylor squeezed in at the corner to open up a 14 point gap for the Crusaders in the space of three minutes.

Skipper, Bravo, thought he got his second of the game, only to be denied by the referee’s whistle for crossing.

With 14 minutes left and the Warriors 14 points behind on the scoreboard, they made good use of some decent field position when Lloyd Templeton’s offload was gobbled up by his winger Lee West to get over in the corner.

The home side had been creating gaps in the Hunslet defensive line throughout the afternoon, and, they found another four minutes from time. Andrew Stott dummied to cut the Warriors open, and he stepped away from the attempted tacklers to put the ball down and increase his side’s impressive winning streak to six games.

It's over - New South Wales end their horrendous eight year hoodoo

They did it! They finally did it. New South Wales defeated Queensland 6 - 4 to stop the rot, and claim their first series win since 2005.

The Blues celebrate their hard earned victory 

It wasn't the prettiest win for the Blues on Wednesday, but, it was a win. And when it comes to State of Origin football, it really doesn't matter how you win. The Blues certainly made a good account of themselves in game one, and full-back, Jarryd Hayne, showcased why he is one of the best number ones in Australia with an inspirational display.

They did it tough up in Queensland, and game two was made easier with it being on home turf. Queensland were missing Cooper Cronk, who broke his arm in the first encounter. Sam Thaiday returned to the Maroons' pack, a big bonus for them.

The first half proved to be a bruising affair, both sides flying out of the defensive lines to put pressure on the play makers. Cherry-Evans and Thurston felt the full force of heavy collisions from their opponents. New South Wales' discipline costed them four points on the board in the opening forty, Thurston slotted over two penalty goals to give his side the advantage. Queensland's discipline wasn't much better, penalty on penalty awarded the Blues' way for different offenses throughout the half.

In the second forty, we finally saw some entertaining football played from both sides, instead of the tough stuff we'd seen before the break. Speaking of tough, Brent Tate departed the scene with what looked to be a bad knee injury. Even a brave player like Tate couldn't continue.

With the game hanging in the balance, the Blues began to mount the pressure on the 4X Maroons. They got themselves a few repeat sets, but, the home side didn't look clinical in attack, and looked to be in panic mode to try and snatch a try. But, their luck came through. Trent Hodkinson taking the line on, throwing a dummy, and cutting open the impregnable Queensland defensive line to go over. Hodkinson added the extras from a seemingly easy angle, and nudged the Blues in front by two.

As expected, the Maroons tried everything to save the series. McQueen's hopeful kick down field was collected by Jarryd Hayne, who ran away to the northern end of the ground, punted the ball into the Blatchy's Blues supporters, and Hayne stood on the advertising boards as though he was the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro.

But, that was it. New South Wales had finally stopped this unbelievably talented rugby league side from creating more history. You could see from the post-match celebrations how much it meant to the Blues. The hug between Laurie Daley and Paul Gallen and the tears from Jarryd Hayne in his interview after the game, goes to show what sport means to people. Some athletes would do anything to win, especially Origin players. Sometimes, anything might not be enough to win. But, the Blues did it, and no matter what happens back up in Brisbane for game three. Paul Gallen can raise the Holden State of Origin trophy high and enjoy the winning feeling once more.

Siddal vs Hunslet Warriors - Match report

Siddal extended their unbeaten winning streak with a convincing 42 – 10 victory over Hunslet Warriors at Reactiv Park.

The home side scored four tries without reply in the first half, and went 24 – 0 up at the interval.

Gareth Blackburn was impressive with the boot for the table toppers as he converted all seven Siddal tries.

The Warriors came back in the second half with back-to-back scores to attempt to salvage something from the game.

However, Siddal showed why they continue to set the benchmark for the competition with three more tries to round off the scoring.

It took less than five minutes for the blue and whites to get the scoreboard rolling. Chris Brooke’s pass put Ross White through a hole.

Siddal’s ability to play the ball quicker than their opponents came up trumps a few minutes later. George Ambler collecting a cut-out pass from dummy half to crash over.

Once again, the league leaders made good use of quick play-the-balls, as Shaun Garrod scooted over for another Siddal try.

With the last play of the half, the home side went down the left to find some space. Blackburn raced away and picked out Scott Caley to get himself on the score sheet.

Gareth Baker’s halftime team talk inspired the Warriors to get the second half start they so desperately needed. Nathan Kitson’s kick deflected off a Siddal man, Kitson scooped up the loose ball and found Johnny Dawson who fed Josh Murphy to touch down. Kitson failed to add the extras.

The advantage of playing downhill in the second half came to fruition again for the Warriors. Murphy’s cut-out pass from dummy half enabled Luke Pennington to grab himself a try.

The revival from the travelling side was to be short lived. Siddal found their feet again in the game, as Daniel Williams came steaming onto a floating pass from his half-back to go over underneath the posts.

Straight from the restart, Siddal were in again. Stephen Hope burst through the Warriors’ defensive line, and sprinted away unchallenged to score.

Ross White rounded off the scoring at a humid Reactiv Park when he went through the tiresome Warriors defence.

Hunslet Warriors vs Hull Dockers - match report

Steve Milne’s last minute try lifted the Hull Dockers off the foot of the table in a 24 – 20 victory over fellow strugglers, Hunslet Warriors.

The Warriors went into the game having snatched a last minute win themselves two weeks ago against Wigan St. Patricks.

The weather played its part making the game riddled with mistakes throughout the entire 80 minutes.

Chris Stephenson, the Dockers half-back, was hugely influential assisting three of his side’s five tries converting two of them.

A second half Lee West double wasn’t enough to make it back-to-back wins for the south Leeds outfit.

Heavy rain in the opening half an hour reduced the skill level for both sides. Nathan Kitson opted to kick for goal from a penalty 40 metres out, but failed to raise the flags.

Four minutes later, the Dockers opened the scoring. Jon Eccles collected Stephenson’s short pass to barge his way over.

The home side hit back three minutes before the break and nudged themselves ahead from a Luke Pennington converted try.

Swiftly after the half-time interval, Stephenson’s cut out pass sent Richard Lamplough over to restore their lead.

Soon after, the Dockers got some breathing space ahead of their Yorkshire rivals. Stephenson’s dab to the in-goal area was touched down by his half-back partner, Andy Kay.

Down by eight, Hunslet got back within touching distance. Daryl Gaunt’s pass to Chris Hartley gave the right side some space. Hartley sent over his winger, Danny Cahill to cross with Kitson adding the extras.

The heavy rain made the ball too greasy to handle. Lee West was punished for dropping the ball when Arron Bradley scooped it up and touched down next to the posts.

However, West atoned for his earlier sin when he grabbed back-to-back tries within the space of ten minutes. Kitson’s kick to the corner wasn’t dealt with by the Hull defence and gave West an easy score.

Supporters may have thought they were seeing double when West went over again. Kitson’s bomb wasn’t diffused by the Dockers and West got his brace. Kitson failed to convert both tries from the sideline.

With the game locked up at 20 a piece going into the final minute, the Dockers made good use of the football, flinging it to the right to break down field. Kay’s kick was gathered by a fellow Hull team-mate and given to Steve Milne to seal victory just before the final whistle. 

Keighley vs Halifax

Halifax go over under the posts

Halifax put last week’s derby loss to Dewsbury behind them by defeating Keighley Cougars 28 – 14 at Cougar Park.

The win for Karl Harrison’s side ended the Cougars’ unbeaten run of five matches in all competitions.

Fax went 12 – 0 up inside the first 15 minutes, until Jode Sheriffe’s try for Keighley sparked an attempted comeback.

Manning’s try just after the break was cancelled out when the Cougars went back-to-back to try and snare victory from their West Yorkshire rivals.

But, two tries in the final 12 minutes was enough to ensure victory and get back to winning ways.

Former Wakefield and Hull KR winger, Peter Fox, made his debut playing outside of centre, Dane Manning.

It took just seven minutes for Ross Divorty to accept a short pass which unlocked the Keighley defence to begin the scoring.

The dose was doubled six minutes later when Divorty’s offload sent Ryan Fieldhouse racing away under the posts.

Back came the Cougars just before the half hour mark, a miscued kick on the last tackle was pounced upon by Jode Sheriffe. Jones’ boot halved Fax’s lead going into the dressing rooms at the break.

Whatever Harrison said at halftime must have had an immediate impact on his side, Tommy Saxton’s break got them within 20 metres of Keighley’s line. The position allowed Manning to touch down. Tyrer missed the conversion, which proved to be the only one missed by the former St Helens man.

Fax’s lead motivated the Cougars to get themselves within two points of their opponents. James Haley collected Jones’ short pass to cross, and James Feather burrowed over from close range. Jones missed both kicks which failed to nudge the home side in front.

It would prove to be costly for Paul March’s men, as Luke Ambler snapped up Scott Murrell’s offload to crash over. Tyrer’s conversion denied the Cougars a bonus point.

The final nail in the coffin came two minutes from time, Paul Mennell’s dummy allowed him to slice his way through to round off the scoring and cement fourth place in the table.

Halifax: 1. Ryan Fieldhouse 26. Peter Fox 11. Dane Manning 3. Steve Tyrer 21. Tommy Saxton 6. Scott Murrell 18. Ben Johnston 8. Tony Tonks 9. Ben Kaye 10. Luke Ambler 12. Andy Bracek 27. Ross Divorty 13. Luke Adamson Interchange: 14. Paul Mennell 17. Ben Davies 23. Callum Casey 28. Jack Spencer

Tries: Luke Ambler (68) Ross Divorty (7), Ryan Fieldhouse (13), Dane Manning (41) Paul Mennell (78)

Conversions: Steve Tyrer 4/5

Keighley: 21. Jesse Sheriffe 2. Richie Barnett 19. Danny Lawton 4. James Haley 5. Paul White 6. Danny Jones 7. Paul Handforth 8. Andy Shickell 9. James Feather 10. Sean Hesketh 11. Josh Lynam 12. Brendon Rawlins 13. Ash Lindsay Interchange: 16. Jode Sheriffe 17. Ben Sager 18. Neil Cherryholme 34. Luke Haigh

Tries:  James Feather (63) James Haley (47) Jode Sheriffe (29)

Conversions: Danny Jones 1/3