Egremont Rangers are back in the National Conference Premier Division after a thrilling win against Heworth in front of the OuRLeague cameras on Saturday.
Continuing the tradition of entertaining games, this was a tremendous advert for the National Conference League with breathtaking attack and committed defence in equal measure.
From Sam Appleby's opener, right through to the final whistle, there were thrills galore.
Both sides tested each other early before a Heworth error resulted in a scrum on their own forty-metre line to Egremont. Confidently the top scorers in the division moved play left and Mark Tyson did enough to create space for Appleby to sear away. The excellent Kristan Tyson converted but the hosts were soon on the scoreboard themselves when some superb link work gave George Elliott a running chance and he crossed at the corner. Aaron Turnbull was just tackled short of the line for Egremont and Heworth grew in confidence and although there was an element of luck in their second try, the way they transitioned was impressive. Danny Allan attempted to thread a kick through which took a bounce off Egremont legs. Tyler Craig was quickest to respond drifting left before releasing the pass for Adam Dent to step back inside for the score after 26 minutes.
The visitors retook the lead after an error and the elusive Fraser McNee split the defence and raced clear to the corner from forty-five metres for his sixth try of the season. Tyson goaled superbly and it was 8-12. Egremont spilt the restart and Heworth responded brilliantly with cross-field passing before Craig bounced through two tackles to score and ensure the game went to half-time at 12-12.
Heworth had the better of the opening period of the second half and took an 18-12 lead when Fraser West zipped over out wide from Allan's pass and George Elliott goaled. A tough tackle from Allan on Mitch Edwards brought a reaction and when a mass of players came together Jack Sadler threw the ball into the melee and was sinbinned by referee Mark Brocklehurst. Three tackles after the tap penalty, captain Kie Glenn stepped, then surged his way over from close range and Tyson's third goal locked the game up at 18-18.
On the hour McNee threatened again on the back of Brad Long's offload. He was tackled high and Kristian Tyson stepped up to add the penalty goal and nudge the visitors in front, 18-20.
A leg injury to Tyson threatened to derail Egremont, especially in the face of a committed Heworth effort which included excellent efforts from Liam Richmond, West, Liam Watling and Luke Prenty. After five minutes Tyson returned and this had a galvanising effect on the visitors. Heworth saw Allan sinbinned for a shoulder charge by Allan in the 72nd minute and four minutes after that, Tyson thrilled the crowd, winning the race to his own kick for his 12th try of the season. He then added his fifth goal of the game. Heworth ensured there would be a nervous ending when George Elliott grabbed his second in lightning support of Craig from West's kick. Sadler goaled in quick time, but the clock ran out and Egremont celebrated the 24-26 win, and promotion, with Heworth now set for the play-offs.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division Hunslet ARLFC moved within one victory of being crowned league leaders with a victory over Kells while Rochdale Mayfield tightened their grip on third spot with a comfortable home win over Wath Brow Hornets. West Hull breezed to victory over Lock Lane while Siddal just held onto a narrow away win at Leigh Miners Rangers and Thatto Heath climbed to fifth after a close victory over York Acorn. Wigan St Pats collected a dominant win against Hull Dockers.
In Division One there was a close win for Clock Face Miners against Ince Rose Bridge while Crosfields picked up an excellent home win over Oulton Raiders and Stanningley secured a play-off position thanks to a 42-6 success at Pilkington Recs and already promoted West Bowling were given a test every inch of the way by Skirlaugh.
Woolston Rovers got the win they needed at Barrow Island to wrap up a play-off spot while Dewsbury Moor Maroons were also in celebratory mood after their narrow win over relegated East Leeds confirmed their promotion behind Waterhead Warriors who in turn won 34-0 against Wigan St Judes. Saddleworth Rangers took a huge step closer to Division Two safety with a 34-28 win at Myton, with Normanton Knights also winning at home against Dewsbury Celtic and Shaw Cross Sharks proved too good for Milford.
Seaton claimed a hard-fought 14-10 derby win over Hensingham while Drighlington were too good for Eastmoor Dragons in a Friday evening fixture in Division Three.
By Dave Parkinson
Image by Chris Wood
Results
Friday 1st September
Division Three
- Drighlington 34 Eastmoor Dragons 10
Saturday 2nd September
Premier Division
- Hunslet ARLFC 28 Kells 4
- Leigh Miners Rangers 24 Siddal 28
- Rochdale Mayfield 44 Wath Brow Hornets 12
- Thatto Heath Crusaders 28 York Acorn 26
- West Hull 32 Lock Lane 8
- Wigan St Pats 50 Hull Dockers 4
Division One
- Heworth 24 Egremont Rangers 26
- Clock Face Miners 20 Ince Rose Bridge 18
- Crosfields 26 Oulton Raiders 18
- Pilkington Recs 6 Stanningley 42
- West Bowling 28 Skirlaugh 24
Division Two
- Barrow Island 14 Woolston Rovers 24
- Dewsbury Moor Maroons 22 East Leeds 20
- Myton Warriors 28 Saddleworth Rangers 34
- Normanton Knights 25 Dewsbury Celtic 20
- Shaw Cross Sharks 48 Milford 6
- Waterhead Warriors 34 Wigan St Judes 0
Division Three
- Seaton Rangers 14 Hensingham 10
Fixtures
Wednesday 6th September
Division Two
- Shaw Cross Sharks v East Leeds
Saturday 9th September
Premier Division
- Hull Dockers v Hunslet ARLFC
- Kells v Thatto Heath Crusaders
- Lock Lane v Leigh Miners Rangers
- Siddal v Rochdale Mayfield
- Wath Brow Hornets v Wigan St Pats
- York Acorn v West Hull
Division One
- Ince Rose Bridge v West Bowling
- Oulton Raiders v Heworth
- Skirlaugh v Clock Face Miners
- Stanningley v Crosfields
- Thornhill Trojans v Pilkington Recs
Division Two
- Dewsbury Celtic v Waterhead Warriors
- East Leeds v Normanton Knights
- Milford v Myton Warriors
- Saddleworth Rangers v Barrow Island
- Wigan St Judes v Dewsbury Moor Maroons
- Woolston Rovers v Shaw Cross Sharks
Division Three
- Drighlington v Seaton Rangers
