Stanley fully deserved this Cup Final win after a comprehensive victory and a dominant display of rugby league beating our opponents in every facet of the game.

 

Westgate came out firing on all cylinders and proved they are a outfit to respect and after a flowing passing move they scored the game's opener on the 1 minute mark. This was to be the only score they would record as the Stanley defence was superb throughout.

 

Stanley hit back almost immediately with some top quality forward work to get us into position. A quick passing move from right to left had Man of the Match Kieran Holt in possession and he blasted his way through the defensive line to record a fine solo effort from the strike player supreme ! Well done KH on a great performance.

 

Stanley from the kick off were awarded a penalty as the Westgate kicker, kicked out on the full.  English, Holmes and Sampson took 3 superb drives, a quick play the ball, and fantastic dummy half pass from Ben Cornell allowed Daniel Sowerby to attack the line and throw out a perfect face ball to fullback Max Jowitt who scored untouched in the corner.   

 

The next score, again within minutes was a beauty, and a real team effort. The ball was kicked off, and regained by Jonny Holmes who ran 20 yards to catch it, and followed by another 20 yard drive. Callum Sampson took the next drive followed by Matty English all three superbly. Matty had his best game of the season, he looked awesome out there, well done Matt! The ball was switched to the short side to Daniel Sowerby who found Kieran Holt with a short ball to put him through the defence, Daniel supported, and Kieran drew a defender and passed the ball back inside to Daniel, who himself drew the fullback and passed the ball back to Kieran who raced  20 yards to score the try of the season. All 6 players involved did their part superbly well.

 

The next touchdown again was superb, and it was great to see Alex Hobson score a long range winger's try. The ball was again tanked up field by the front row, and a quick short pass to Alex gave him a bit of space, he raced through, from the halfway line beating 4 defenders to score a sublime 4 pointer, well done Alex, that was special.

 

Stanley had the battle for the middle well and truly won by half time. The huge Westgate pack were out muscled by Jonny Holmes, Callum Sampson, Matty English, and Jack Donnegan. All the mentioned played fantastically and produced a tough, and controlled approach to the game, proving they are still the best pack out there. Ben Hardaker who in my opinion was at his very best was devastating throughout the game, but showed some real steel in defence.

 

The middle ground won let the half backs of Tom Mac and Daniel do their stuff, and supported by the fantastic Stanley Back line of Jowitt, Hobson, Holt, Hudson, Daly, and Smith meant we could express ourselves in attack, and play on the front foot. 

 

The second period got under way, and the introduction of Dom Jones was nothing short of amazing. His first involvement was to put on the hardest shot this season on the big Westgate prop, from then on, Dom or "Jesus" to his friends was like a man on a mission, he was simply amazing, and his overall enthusiasm spread to every player around him.

 

The forwards drove deep into the Wolves red zone and quick thinking by Tom Mac led to the next score. Tom at first receiver through out a 20 yard face ball to Daniel Sowerby, who himself through out a 15 yard face ball cutting out Will H and Eddie Daly to again hit fullback sensation Max Jowitt, who for the second time touched down to score. Max then put the cherry on top by kicking the conversion from the touch line.

 

Sam Walker and for only his second game big Hallum Day entered the field of play.Sam just coming back from a broken toe covered the wing, and Hallum showed us what we can expect next season from this huge and mobile forward. Hallum ran and defended very well in such a big game - well done.

 

The next score was a cheeky dummy half 4 pointer from Ben Cornell who after a fantastic display of dummy half passing caught a slight glimpse of a gap on the Westgate line after some superb driving, took his shot, and squeezed his way over for a great and well deserved try!

 

The season is now over, the Yorkshire Division One title regained, which is what we wanted more than any cup, and again the District Cup retained too ! The season has been a wonderful success, and the boys have been nothing short of magnificent all season. The word on the street was we would have no chance after losing three players at the start of the season, one being our top try scorer, but we have proved to everyone out there, that we are a very good, very consistent, and very competitive side who can get the job done.

 

The coaching staff are great. Roy Sampson has literally transformed this team from last year to this, and with his assistant Phil Cornell I can't think of any coaches who could match them for ability or experience.

 

The team sponsors "Bollywood Lounge" were in attendance at the game, and could not believe the performance - and a huge thank you to them from all of us too !

 

The next time the team plays is the pre season fixtures, and the festival of Rugby at St Helens in August.

 

The team would like to thank the following people: all the mums and dads who help out in training, the referee's and Mark, Martin, and Tony for their input and assistance. I would like to thank Jean who is always there to help with the web site and to provide media links, cheers Jean.

 

I would also like to thank Emma King for her help and advice whenever requested, to Lynn for her support after the games, and to Barbara who I have to say is the most accommodating, and helpful person I have come across in junior rugby league. Julia Lord for her assistance with referees and clearing up of any problems, and last but not least, to the players who have made us all proud.

 

A big thank you and good luck to Alex Keaney, and Joe Foster who have both left to concentrate on rugby union.