Waterhead wrap up NCL Division Two title & Dewsbury Moor step closer to promotion on momentous weekend

Waterhead Warriors wrapped up the Division Two title on Friday night with a resounding win against third-placed Shaw Cross Sharks. From the outset, Waterhead, who have lost just once this league campaign, looked focused and determined to enjoy themselves in front of a big home crowd. 

They took the lead after three minutes when a delicate grubber kick was dived on by loose forward Ciaran Dean who also converted.

That try was just the start, as a further three tries in seven minutes took them to 20-0. Dane Taylor got on the outside of the defence before opposite wing Mason Young touched down and Jenson Hamilton scored the first of his hat-trick in the 19th minute. Shaw Cross then finally got their hands on the ball with Tom Ashen and Dec Tomlinson trying to inspire them, but the hosts defence was too good and kept them at bay. 

Three more tries completed a near-perfect first half for Waterhead as centre Matthew Holland touched down before a lovely scrum play brought Taylor his second score and Ciaran Dean grabbed his second just before half-time. Dean took his goal tally to three and Jenson Hamilton's conversion made it 36-0 at the break with the coaching staff and supporters impressed with the highly skilled performance that included a towering showing from Phil Joy.

The second half had barely got going when the pace of Hamilton lit up proceedings again. Good handling put Young away and the winger unselfishly kicked forward for his fullback to gleefully run onto. Shaw Cross rallied thereafter and their efforts deservedly resulted in two tries as they clinically turned field position into points. Winger Josh Frain finished well out wide after 53 minutes before Alex Baines surged in five minutes later and Tomlinson goaled.

It was perhaps fitting that seven minutes from time Hamilton scored his hat-trick try and kicked his third goal to make it 48-10 and the celebrations started at full-time.

The rise of the club over the past two seasons has been one of the National Conference League's feel-good stories and the Warriors have played excellent rugby league along the way.

With top spot wrapped up,  action in Division Two moved onto Saturday when Woolston Rovers hosted second-placed Dewsbury Moor Maroons. This proved a compelling game and the hosts had the better of things, establishing a 12-0 lead thanks to two tries from Harry Files. The first came about in the 7th minute with a quick play-the-ball and Craig Lawton broke the line before finding support. Brad Adams was sin-binned for the visitors after 25 minutes for dangerous contact and Files added his second score in the 31st minute, reaching out to place the ball over the line with a near telescopic grip. Lawton goaled both and the visitors had precious little to cheer until Andy Addison popped the ball out of a tackle for the hosts. Dewsbury Moor kicked on and impressive prop Aaron James won the race to touch down five minutes out from the break. The conversion from stand-off Louie Walker made it 12-6 at half-time.

Two minutes into the new half, Moor were level. Brad Adams stormed through the defence from Walker's pass, evading five challenges over thirty metres and Walker levelled matters with the conversion. Home centre Tom Byrne was sin-binned for a high challenge but despite being reduced to twelve men, it was Woolston that found space on the right edge and Karlton Bates went in. Lawton maintained his 100% record with the boot and Rovers led 18-12. 

In the 61st minute, the game was back in the balance when prop Connor Gavaghan hulked over the line and Walker converted to level it at 18-18. Walker then missed a penalty attempt a couple of minutes later but was given another opportunity after receiving a high tackle in the 66th minute. It was an uneasy lead for the visitors and Woolston roared back, three times spurning kickable penalties to run at the defence. Moor weren't to let this one slip however and held out for an important victory that takes them closer to automatic promotion.

There were also games from the Premier Division, where Rochdale Mayfield crushed relegated Wigan St Patricks 76-18 and Division Three where Bentley opened their new clubhouse with a thrilling 26-26 draw with Drighlington.

Image : Rob Hare


Results


Friday 25th August
Division Two 

• Waterhead Warriors 48 Shaw Cross Sharks 10

Saturday 26th August
Premier Division

• Rochdale Mayfield 76 Wigan St Patricks 18

Division Two 

• Woolston Rovers 18 Shaw Cross Sharks 20

Division Three

• Bentley 26 Drighlington 26

Fixtures
Tuesday 29th August

Division Two

• Saddleworth Rangers v Shaw Cross Sharks 19:30
• Normanton Knights v Waterhead Warriors 19:30

Friday 1st September
Division Three

• Drighlington v Eastmoor Dragons 19:00

Saturday 2nd September
Premier Division

• Hunslet ARLFC v Kells 14:30
• Leigh Miners Rangers v Siddal 14:30
• Rochdale Mayfield v Wath Brow Hornets 14:30
• Thatto Heath Crusaders v York Acorn 14:30
• West Hull v Lock Lane 14:30
• Wigan St Patricks v Hull Dockers 14:30

Division One

• Heworth v Egremont Rangers 13:15 (Our League)
• Crosfields v Oulton Raiders 14:30
• Clock Face Miners v Ince Rose Bridge 14:30
• Pilkington Recs v Stanningley 14:30
• West Bowling v Skirlaugh 14:30

Division Two

• Barrow Island v Woolston Rovers 14:30
• Dewsbury Moor Maroons v East Leeds 14:30
• Myton Warriors v Saddleworth Rangers 14:30
• Normanton Knights v Dewsbury Celtic 14:30
• Shaw Cross Sharks v Milford 14:30
• Waterhead Warriors v Wigan St Judes 14:30

Division Three

• Seaton Rangers v Hensingham 14:30