Stanley, as always against Celtic, had a very tough and physical encounter in very poor and heavy conditions which does not suit the Stanley way of playing.

The first half saw a try scoring chance missed early on, and from then on it was a real battle with both sides looking determined. Stanley scored the opening try through Kieran Holt, after what looked like a clear knock on further back in the play, but you make your own luck, and we went into the second half 6 nil up.

The second half looked like it was going to be a very tough 30 minutes, and going up hill is always hard against a big strong side like Celtic. Nathan Stone continued in his customary top form and after a long lay off is looking better every week. Max as always was solid under every high ball, but the going was very heavy for all our speed merchants.

 

The pack worked hard and in this second period got on top of their opposition, and kept us in the Celtic half for most of the second period. The defence on display was second to none, and sometimes you have to look at positives of a performance, and after last week's win against Milford in the National Cup, the boys did look tired and sluggish, but still came out with a win against a team who always produce great form against us.  

 

The last try was a great effort from Kieran Holt who ran off an inside ball of Daniel Sowerby to break open the defence and score the winning and final try of the game.

 

Ben Cornell tackled himself to a standstill as did Dom Jones who made several big hits which visibly raised our enthusiasm. Callum Sampson showed a wonderful display of ball handling, with Holmes, and Hardaker backing their recent top form with another solid performance.

 

The next game will be yet another tough encounter as we travel to Hull to league leaders Skirlaugh Bulls in the BARLA National Cup quarter final.