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Open Age Match Reports, 2004-5 Sharlston Rovers 42 v Stanley Rangers 8 Sharlston Rovers proved too strong in the end for Stanley in the Final of the Wakefield and District Cup at the Atlantic Solutions Stadium coming away 4208 winners. The first half saw a strong challenge from Stanley Rangers in a more balanced first forty minutes with a two point half time advantage by a battling Stanley outfit determined not to let the favourites have an easy ride. Rangers got off to a disastrous start when they spilled the ball directly from the kick off but after weathering an early storm, were unlucky not to put points on the board with both Stu Godfrey and James Robins held close to Sharlston line. On ten minutes,the first score went to Sharlston with a try from Gordy Long. A Lee Lingard conversion followed for Sharlston to hold the reins at 6-0. Gareth Dobson pulled a couple back for Rangers when he slotted over a penalty, but for long periods, Stanley were having to defend in their own quarter before finally cracking when Adam Thaler charged over for Sharlston’s second try. On the half hour the game, which had been simmering for quite a while, boiled over in an incident which led to Stanley’s veteran forward, Dean Sampson, disappointingly having to leave the affray with a nasty gash to the back of his knee. The ex-Castleford front rower also needed treatment to a cut eye and unfortunately, played no further part in proceedings. Referee, Steve Greenhaugh soon restored order without further changes of personnel and from the resulting penalty, Rangers began to feel their way back into matters. Moments before the interval, stand off Dobson slipped through the Rovers defence for a four pointer and converting his own try, hauled his side to within two points of Sharlston with the sides going in neck and neck for a well earned break. The second half however, saw the CMS Yorkshire Premier champions-elect gain 32 unanswered points. Gordy Long led the charge when he crossed to complete his brace, with Lingard, Lee Maskill, Gareth Davies, Jamie Cox and Andy Booth all adding trys and five more conversions from Lingard to complete a second half rout, although Stanley never gave up the chase. Rover’s Gordy Long deservedly received the man of the match award from sponsors Unison’s Pat James and also present at the final, BARLA supremo, chairman Maurice Oldroyd congratulated both sides on performances of very high standard which resulted in a highly entertaining cup final. Sharlston: Lee Lingard, Lee Maskill, Gareth Davies, Keith Brooke, Jamie Cox, Gordon Long, Danny Grimshaw, Carl Sayer, Lee Bettinson, Lee Kelly (Senior), Dale Potter, Andy Booth, Adam Thaler, Dave Lee, Stan Smith, Lee Kelly (Junior), Lewis Swithenbank. For a fuller report see: [ http://www.leaguenews.co.uk/news.asp?LeagueId=86&NewsId=829 ] |
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