After 4 weeks of postponed games and the Christmas break the Wildcats were back in action in a cup fixture against Division 4 side Garforth Tigers.

It was the Wildcats that opened the scoring with an opportunist try from acting half Jack Pemberton after only 5 minutes. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 4-0. Garforth were not to be outdone and replied quickly with their first try out wide on the Wildcats left. Again the kick was missed leaving the scores level. This woke the Wildcats up and they responded through stand off Sam Mawson. Jacob Unwin was successful with the conversion giving the Wildcats a 6 point lead.Back came Garforth again on the left hand side, with a well worked try after a precision kick from the Garforth stand off. The kick was again missed leaving the score at 10-8 in favour of the hosts. The final score of the half came from Jack Pemberton, his second of the game and 13th of the season, with a solo effort beating 3 Garforth defenders on his way to the line.

 

Half time - Stanley Wildcats 14 v 8 Garforth Tigers.

 

Straight from the kick off the Wildcats took control of the game with 2 quick tries through captain Ben Fisher and Sam Mawson, his second of the game.This gave the Wildcats a comfortable lead at 24-8. The Wildcats then dropped off the pace a little and Garforth came roaring back in to the game with 2 converted tries leaving the gap at only 4 points after some very sloppy defence. This seemed to shake the Wildcats back in to action and after some excellent passing and support play it was Bradley Clayton that powered over for the final Wildcats try, this turned out to be the winning try for the Wildcats. Jacob Unwin added the conversion keeping the score in the Wildcats' favour.This was added to with a conversion from full back Jacob Unwwin, his third of the game, making the score 30-20.With only seconds remaining it was Garforth that finished the scoring with a close range effort and a conversion.

Overall a satisfying performance from the Wildcats for much of the game but work needs to be done on defence and not switching off when a healthy lead is in place.An excellent first half and first 10 minutes of the second half should have seen the Wildcats win the game comfortably but credit to Garforth for taking their chances and giving the Wildcats a scare.

Full Time - Stanley Wildcats 30 v 26 Garforth Tigers.

Parents Man of the Match - Sam Mawson.

Coaches Man of the Match - Bradley Clayton.

Magic moment - Jack Pemberton.

Top trainer of the week - Mark Bainbridge.