WOOLSTON Rovers will be looking to build on last week’s win over Bradford Dudley Hill when they entertain top-of-the-table Heworth in the National Conference League Division Two on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 2.30 pm.
Rovers Head of Rugby Mal Holt said, “We were nowhere near our best against Dudley Hill but we managed to get a comfortable win which was the most important thing. We will not be able to get away with a display like that this weekend as Heworth will punish us if we do. They have been the standout team in the division this season and even though they suffered a narrow defeat at in-form Dewsbury Celtic last weekend I am sure they will come here in a confident mood. We will be working really hard at training this week to make sure we are ready to give a good account of ourselves. Hopefully we will be able to name a similar side as last week as the constant changing of the team does us no favours. It promises to be an excellent game and one that we are really looking forward to.”
Woolston Rovers got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Bradford Dudley Hill in a National Conference League Division Two encounter played in extreme heat at the Limestone Construction Field, Monks Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.
Rovers got off to the perfect start with a try in the opening two minutes as a fine ball out wide from stand-off Theo Holt put winger Callum Moore over in the right corner. Full back Aaron Barber converted from the touchline but then midway through the half Dudley Hill responded when winger Neil Wall crossed for a try in the left corner.
Just before the half-hour mark Dudley Hill had full-back Callum Lisle sin-binned for a high tackle on C Moore but then shortly afterwards Rovers were reduced to twelve men when substitute Sam Wood was dismissed for an alleged head butt.
Four minutes before the break Rovers were awarded a ‘set restart’ and they made the most of this as scrum half Dec Leonard scored. Barber converted to give Rovers a 12-4 half time advantage.
Dudley Hill narrowed the gap seven minutes into the second half with a penalty goal from stand-off Bradley Clarkson but then six minutes later Rovers hooker Adam Files made a fine break and found substitute Alex Smith in support to score under the posts. Barber added the conversion.
The visitors were once again temporarily reduced to twelve men when loose forward Nathan Broadbent was sin-binned for throwing the ball at the head of a Rovers player and five minutes later Rovers moved further ahead when Smith made a break and he found second row Dan Fearnley in support to race thirty metres and score. Barber added the conversion.
Rovers made sure of the win when Leonard cleverly stole the ball in a one-on-one tackle and scored under the posts. Barber converted but the visitors were then rewarded for not giving up as winger Byron Lisle and Clarkson crossed for tries in the last three minutes to add respectability to the scoreline. Clarkson added both conversions to make the final score 30-18 to Rovers.
The Man of the Match was awarded to Rovers prop forward Harry Files. He was very well supported by centre Kieran Moore and scrum half Dec Leonard.
After the game Rovers Head of Rugby Mal Holt said, “It was a scrappy win in soaring heat; respect to both sides for competing for eighty minutes in hot and humid conditions. We never really got into our stride as the game was played at a very slow pace due to the heat and the referee allowing a very slow play the ball. A win is a win and certainly much needed as we try and secure a play off place.”
ROVERS
Aaron Barber, Callum Moore, Kieran Moore, Dan Griffiths, Karlton Bates, Theo Holt, Dec Leonard, Harry Files, Adam Files, Ryan Hickman, Dan Fearnley, Craig Lawton, Ryan Brown.
Subs: Scott Whiteley, Sam Wood, Thodorhs Nianiakas, Alex Smith.
Tries
C Moore (2 mins), Leonard (36, 72), Smith (53), Fearnley (65).
Goals
Barber 5
DUDLEY HILL
Callum Lisle, Byron Lisle, Dylan Petty, Aiden Batey, Neil Wall, Bradley Clarkson, Martin Southworth, Daman Birik, Ryan Dickinson, Robbie Spencer, Gareth Ramsden, Damian Smith, Nathan Broadbent.
Subs: None
Tries
Wall (20), Lisle (77), Clarkson (80).
Goals
Clarkson 3
Referee: Luke Flavell
