Stanley travelled to Castleford Panthers expecting a particularly difficult game against a very good side and they weren’t disappointed!
Both teams started a little tentatively in attack and a few early mistakes allowed defences to dominate the early exchanges. Stanley showed good shape and line speed throughout the game and looked as if they could cope with anything that Panthers could throw at them, but after a tight opening ten minutes a momentary lack of concentration from the Stanley defence allowed Panthers rampaging prop forward to break the line and run in the first score of the game.
Stanley were not deterred by this and in the very next set they hit straight back at Castleford when second rower Stephen Gibbs hit a nice line and forced his way over to level the scores. Stanley and Castleford continued to show why they are rated as two of the top sides in group one this year as they provided great entertainment in a very even game as both teams worked hard defensively, and when given the opportunity tried to throw the ball about in an attempt to create attacking opportunity’s.
The home side managed to nudge their way back in front only for Stanley to hit back again when scrum half Jake Smith managed to outpace the home defence to level the scores again. Stanley’s pack worked tirelessly for the whole game and the defensive efforts of props Decllan Honeymann and Ryan Snowden were rewarded as they shared the Top Tackler award, Man of Steel went to Dan Stansfield who was playing his first game for nearly a year and never took a backward step. But Stanley’s hard work looked to have been undone when Panthers stand off sold the Rangers defence a great dummy that allowed him to score under the posts and give the home side a 4 point lead with only two minutes to go.
Stanley had shown a fantastic attitude and commitment to the game and that wasn’t to change in the last two minutes as they went looking for a winning score, which they found in the shape of hooker Ben Green who received the outstanding effort award for a great scoot from dummy half to score a game levelling try and then land the game winning conversion. It was no less than Stanley deserved but was harsh on the home side who probably felt they deserved something from the game.
Special mentions to Brad Gallagher who received the Man of the Match award on his debut for a great defensive contribution, Oli Thurston who never looked like he’d been out for several weeks with a broken arm and Kyle Holdroyd who returned to the team and looked like he’d never been away. Alfie Goddard also did very well in an unfamiliar full back role.
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