WOOLSTON Rovers produced a sterling display in terrible conditions to claim a fantastic 14-12 victory at Shaw Cross Sharks in the Impact Performance National Conference League Division Two Play-Off Final at Leeds Road, Dewsbury to gain promotion to Division One.
The game last Saturday afternoon was very tense throughout with chances at a premium and it took until the twenty-fifth minute for the deadlock to be broken as Shaw Cross second row Jack Toulson crossed for a try but then two minutes before the break Rovers responded with a trademark try from hooker Adam Files. Stand-off Craig Lawton added the conversion to give the visitors a slender 6-4 halftime advantage.
Two minutes into the second half the Sharks regained the lead when centre Nathan Wright scored a try that was converted by loose forward Dec Tomlinson and then thirteen minutes later rovers were temporarily reduced to twelve men when loose forward Ryan Brown was sin-binned for a reckless tackle and soon afterwards Tomlinson landed a penalty to give his side a six-point cushion.
Rovers continued to show plenty of patience with the ball and were rewarded on seventy minutes with a try from second row Dan Fearnley. Lawton converted to level matters at 12-12 and then with a minute remaining on the clock the sharks were penalised for a high tackle and Lawton calmly slotted over the penalty to nudge Rovers ahead.
There was still time for further drama as Shaw Cross were awarded a penalty with seconds remaining but the attempt from Tomlinson went just wide and Rovers were left to celebrate a fantastic 14-12 win much to the delight of their travelling fans.
The Man of the Match was awarded to Rovers loose forward Ryan Brown. He was very well supported by prop forward Harry Files and second row Dan Fearnley.
After the game Rovers NCL Head Coach Billy Sheen said, “I don’t know where to start; it is by far the best day of my rugby career. It was a game about defence, which most play off games are. We concentrated on defending a lot this season, especially during the play offs and it has paid off. They threw the kitchen sink at us all of the game but only managed to breach our line twice. Their sideline was very loud; a few hundred were there with drums and speakers but we spoiled the party. Our lads just stayed composed throughout and got the job done. We failed at this stage last year and learnt our lesson; it is a simple case of having to lose a final to win one and we did that. I’m immensely proud of the lads and they deserve this promotion. It’s been a long season with plenty of ups and downs; we have used over forty players which shows inconsistency but we have managed to stay in the hunt. We have a lot of hard work to do now before next season; we need to look hard on recruitment and hopefully get an Under 18s side to support the Open age. It’s a brilliant day for the club and hopefully sends us in the right direction going forward.”
Rovers Head of Rugby Mal Holt added, “It was a fitting way to end a long hard season; a last-gasp winner was very sweet. It was a tough game played in terrible conditions; the lads stuck to their task and came away with a hard-fought win and then the celebrations began. We took a good number of supporters with us and I thank everyone for getting behind the lads. The hard work starts now as we prepare for life in Division One.”
Sharks
Callum Barker, Josh Frain, Nathan Wright, Tom Ryley, Lucas Smith, Tommy Ashen, Evan Stephenson, Tenneson Neagle, Joel Russell, Paul Chitakunye, Jack Toulson, Brad Baines, Dec Tomlinson.
Subs: Kian Lister, Alex Baines, Ben Ripley, Harrison Sutcliffe.
Tries
Toulson (25 mins), Wright (42).
Goals
Tomlinson 2
Woolston Rovers
James Tarpey, Alex Pendlebury, Kieran Moore, Sam Vernon, Tom Byrne, Craig Lawton, Dec Leonard, Harry Files, Adam Files, Ryan Hickman, Scott Whiteley, Dan Fearnley, Ryan Brown.
Subs: Cameron Davies, Ryan Palin, Kyle Cherrett, Matt Taylor.
Tries
A Files (38 mins), Fearnley (70).
Goals
Lawton 3
