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Open Age Match Reports, 2005-6 Ackworth 26 v Stanley Rangers 28 (after extra time) In a closely-fought struggle it was Stanley who came out on top with a Gareth Whitehead penalty in extra time earning them a 28-26 win over Ackworth in the final of the Brian McDermott Memorial City Plasterers Cup. Whitehead had already kept his side in the final when he hit a towering touch line conversion, to lock the scores at 26 points each following a Jacky Hogan try in the dying seconds of normal time. The Jaguars looked to have both hands on the trophy when Jamie Maughan crossed with only two minutes on the timekeeper's watch – a score, which coupled with the conversion from James Barnett, hoisted his side into what seemed to be a match winning, 26-20 lead. Ackworth opened the scoring with a 30-yard effort from Will Jordan, Barnett obliged with the extras to set the Jaguars on track with 6-0 lead after five minutes. Stanley hit back when prop forward Craig Rhodes powered over with Whitehead converting; the sides were all square 10-10 after fifteen minutes. A mistake from the restart by Stanley resulted in Ackworth regaining their advantage with Russ Brooke crossing wide out. Not to be outdone, Rangers levelled with the first of Jacky Hogan's brace, ten minutes later. With the interval approaching, Chris Morgan gave Ackworth the lead when he crossed in the corner, again the kick was beyond Barnett but the Jaguars went in to the break with a deserved 14-10 advantage. Stanley wasted no time on the resumption and a Chris Woolford try supplemented by Whitehead's conversion allowed Rangers to lead for the first time. For the next 20 minutes, Rangers pressed for further points but were met by a resolute defence until winger, James Robins squeezed over in the corner to stretch his sides' advantage to 20-14. Then with time running out for the Jaguars, Jordan crossed for his second close to the posts. The Stadium held its breath as Barnett stepped up with his attempt to level the scores at 20-20 and most of the spectators were resigned to extra time at this stage unaware of the drama about to unfold within the next five minutes. Spurred on by their late equaliser, Ackworth pressed and came up with the Maughan try which was goaled by Barnett, only for Stanley to pull back within reach with Hogan's second deep into injury time. Even then, faced with a seemingly impossible conversion attempt to follow, Ackworth still had a hand on the trophy. But Whitehead kept his nerve and hit a massive kick plumb centre through the uprights, which meant this time, the game definitely was going to extra time. Then came the extra time winner. In a game almost devoid of penalties, which was superbly controlled by veteran whistler Kenny Tinsdale, ably abetted by youngsters Alex Kenning and Michael Haigh, it was ironic that the winning points resulted from a penalty awarded for foul play when Whitehead was obstructed. One of the hardest tasks of the night rested on sponsor Mark McDermott of City Plasters, whose task was to select a man of the match. On selecting two try hero and Yorkshire County candidate Jacky Hogan, Mr McDermott remarked on both sets of forwards and halfbacks from each side for their work rate, going on to congratulate every player on the park tonight saying, "It was an unenviable task having to try and separate one player out of the 34 on show. There are eight in our party tonight and we all came up with a different selection which shows the quality and effort that was on display." He added: "Obviously there had to be only one winner to the match, but the show that was put on by Ackworth and Stanley tonight meant that the whole game was a winner and every player has done himself, his club and the game of rugby league a great credit. (Report courtesy of Roger Fagge, League News) |
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