Stanley Rangers Under'13s went up against Eastmoor Dragons in the Wakefield Cup in a thrilling encounter which swung one way then the other.

Both teams started well but a mistake by Stanley put the Dragons in a good position which they powered over for a converted try. Stanley soon hit back with some great forward work from Hopkinson, Hudson and the ever-improving Charlie Halford with quick hands from Harnetty and Joel Kay that sent new signing Michael Blick in for his 1st try for the club in the corner, Kian Rowley converting well. The game became a real arm wrestle neither team giving an inch, but some good play from Eastmoor just before the half put themselves in front with another powerful converted try, 6-12 at half time,

Stanley then set out like a house on fire with their pack starting to dominate some smooth play and sent Kian Rowley over for a try which he converted himself, straight from the kick off a powerful forward run and quick play of the ball by Miller, give stand off Harnetty space a great dummy and a small gap was enough for a wonderful solo 80 metre try under the stick again converted by Rowley, Eastmoor to their credit hit back with a try of their own after a powerful run from Logan Robinson to get over the whitewash, 18-18 the game could have gone either way, 10 minutes to go and the Dragons struck again out wide for a unconverted try, 18-22. Stanley had to dig deep and with some solid runs from Hopkinson, Miller, Hampshire, Halford and Joseph Hudson which put Stanley deep in the Eastmoor half. The game was in the balance with 3 minutes to go but Stanley held their nerve and after a powerful run from Owen Hopkinson set up a move on the blindside for Charlie Halford to power through 5 defenders to score, 22-22. Only the conversion from the touchline to come, Kian Rowley settled himself under massive pressure of a massive crowd slotted a lovely kick to give Stanley the lead, 24-22 With a couple of minutes to go Eastmoor tried a short kickoff, Hampshire's quick thinking pounced on the ball Stanley forwards lead by Lewi Bayliss at hooker controlled the final minutes to hang on for a great win.

Action photos by Paul Dean