Stanley produced their best performance of the season to reach the semi final of the Challenge Cup, overcoming a strong West Hull team 26-4.
Playing up hill Stanley had to work hard to contain some strong running from West Hull and it was the visitors that made an early break , only for Stanley to scramble back in defence and prevent a try. A tight opening period saw both teams fighting to break through some solid defence, however it was the home side that made the breakthrough as Harry Hirst charged over taking three defenders with him to make it 4 - 0.
Some poor decisions from West Hull meant they were unable to take their chances, as Stanley regained possession and began to move up field. Reiss Butterworth took on the line and provided a clever inside pass to Hirst, who stormed through the gap and raced clear to score his second. Butterworth converted to make it 10-0. West Hull then got on the scoresheet with a close-range try to make it 10-4 at half time.
Rangers started the second half strongly with Jordan O'Neill and Seb Dimmock running well, providing a platform for Matty Hobson and Butterworth to link together and move the ball. This caused problems for the hull defence and some great handling allowed Brandon Warrior to link in to the line and beat two defenders to score and make it 14-4.
Liam Kirkness and debutant Ben Taylor both made good yards for Rangers, allowing Hobson space to take on the defence and fire a wonderful pass out wide to Ryan Strafford, who showed great pace to break clear and draw the full back, handing on to Reiss Butterworth who raced clear to score. Hirst converted to make it 20-4.
Great defence from Charlie Holland helped to contain West Hull, and with Rangers now dominating the game they quickly turned defence in to attack as Lewis Fletcher made good yards up the middle. Thomas Sowerby then broke clear but unfortunately the pass to the supporting Hobson was deemed forward by the referee. Hobson, however, did have the final say as he intercepted a West Hull pass to race 50 metres and score under the posts. Hirst sealed the conversion to make the final score 26-4.
Man of thhe Match was Harry Hirst, with Liam Kirkness taking second place and Charlie Holland third.
Coach Danny Duce stated " This was a great team effort by all and so it was really difficult to pick the Man of the Match. I am proud of each of them and they fully deserved the win today".
Stanley now have a tough semi final away at Hunslet Warriors.
