Stanley had to hang on for a well deserved win away at Birstall who had power and size that caused us no end of problems.The Stanley side today had more to celebrate as they entered this game without hooker Jacob Barnes, back rowers Alex Clegg and TJ getting a severe wrist injury , and wing sensation Mbemba Kuwate, putting us down to 12 players. This however did not stop Stanley starting fast and efficient, with some flowing fast and skilful rugby league. The first try was a masterclass of open flowing rugby league, with a great hit up the middle of the park by Jordan O'Niell and after a quick PTB Cozzer wiped out a pass to Matty Hobson, who hit Lewis Fletcher, who passed to fullback Thomas Sowerby who sprinted 35 metres to score n the corner to record the game's opening try.

Stanley then regathered the ball and again some superb drives by Jordan O'Niell and big Tommy Gant opened the way for another sweeping move, with Harry Hirst getting a great ball from Corey Eaton to ship onto Tom Downing who raced in the corner to score.

Stanley almost scored again with a last play kick by Matty Hobson that beat the fullback and Thomas Sowerby raced to the ball kicked it on and tried to drop on the ball to score but the ball just moved at the last second and Thomas failed to ground the ball that would have been a belter. The half time period was on us, and after switching off, and dropping the ball, Birstall came at us out wide with a huge running centre who beat several defenders to score.

The second half started and Stanley, with only 12 players, looked tired and not showing the enthusiasm that you need to kill off the game. he Stanley halfbacks of Correy Eaton and Matty Hobson did not have the runners for the first time to get us going, and after conceding another penalty for unnecessary ball stealing we again looked under pressure. Birstall took advantage of the situation and scored another two tries and conversions to level the score with 10 minutes to go.

Head coach Danny Duice had to rally the players to just give the extra effort needed and they did. Thomas Sowerby pulled off two try-saving tackles against the big number 13 and number 3 who were both destined to score and the game would have been over! Ryan Strafford threw himself at everything as did Tommy Gant and Nick Fowler who took drive after drive in to keep us in the contest. Stanley, battered bruised and down to 12, actually looked stronger than they had done at the start and with Jordan O'Niell and Lewis Fletcher coming in for more work we kept the Birstal team in their own half. The last set saw them kick and Tom Sowerby regathered and weaved his way towards the line, and just got tackled inches from the try line. The Birstall side again was held in their own half and we again attacked with 2 minutes to go. Jordan O'Niell made another great run up the middle of the field and being half tackled, he off-loaded to supporting back rower Nick Fowler who crashed over to score the winner in the last seconds.

Jordan O'Niell: Stanley Man of the Match

Thomas Sowerby: Opposition Man of the Match

Thomas Sowerby: Stanley Magic Moment