Stanley bounced back from a poor and under par performance against Celtic to beat Featherstone away with some key players injured and not feeling well. The opening try was a 90 yard effort from Harry the "hit man" Hirst who took a great ball out wide and out paced the chasing pack to score a sensational opening try for the Rangers. The next thing was a real bit of comedy as Harry missed his conversion but in the process managed to kick the Kicking T over the sticks leaving the ball on the spot !

Featherstone scored the next try but missed the conversion, and put plenty of pressure on the Stanley line, which brought out some real defensive efforts from the boys.

Lewis Fletcher came off the bench for the remaining 10 minutes of the half, and completely changed the game with a massive impact. Lewis was awarded the joint Man of the atch from Stanley which goes to show what a top effort he put in with less game time than his teammates.

Lewis picked up the ball centre field and bust through several tacklers to pop out a perfect off load to flying support player Thomas Sowerby who raced 30 metres to score the next Stanley try which Harry managed to convert this time !

The Stanley team with Matty H struggling relied on superb half back Cozzer Eaton to grab the game by the horns, and lead his pack around the field. Correy with Tommy Gant, and Jordan O'Niell in top form had plenty of room to work in, and linked up very well with Nick Fowler who in my opinion was simply outstanding today, and unlucky not to get an award.

Jordan O'Niell drove the ball deep into the Featherstone half, followed by Fowler, who after a quick play the ball allowed Eaton to attack the line and pop out a short ball to Tommy Gant who steamed onto it to perfection to blast 20 yards to score a superb 4 pointer.

Charlie Holland scored his second 4 pointer in successive weeks with another one of his scoots from dummy half, well done Charlie !

The next try not only got the Stanley Magic Moment, but the Featherstone staff also for the first time awarded their own magic moment, and the referee said after the game that this was the best individual try he had seen in his life, as did the Featherstone coach. Thomas Sowerby received the ball on his 10 meter line and attacked to the right side of the field, he dummied on defender and side stepped another, he then went on to hand off two other defenders down the touch line, out pacing two more and in a split second at full pace chipped the ball over the full back and regathered to score a try you may wait years to better ! Well done.

Correy Eaton throughout the game showed a wonderful level of concentration, and awareness, way above his years, and was simply superb, and was awarded the Stanley Man of the Match which he shared with Lewis Fletcher. Correy looked the total half back today, and with a platform to work off will cause any team problems, well done.

 

Ryan Strafford our new block busting winger is looking the part, and with more ball and game time will develop into one of the best out wide players at this age group.

 

The awards today were Correy Eaton and Lewis Fletcher Stanley joint Man of the Match, with Thomas Sowerby taking both home and away Magic Moment, and Jordan Oniell bagging the Opposition Man of the Match.