Stanley Rangers U16s 1 v Skirlaugh Bulls U16s 0
BARLA XAMAX NATIONAL UNDER 16 CUP FINAL
24.05.14

At: LoveRugbyLeague.com Stadium, Batley Bulldogs RLFC

Stanley Rangers were crowned kings of the Under 16 game in an unbelievable game, with an even more unbelievable score line, rub your eyes that was the score, which would suggest a boring contest but ask those in the crowd and they would give you a resounding NO.

The seminal moment of a pulsating game that got better as the seconds ticked by, as in injury time following a penalty with extra time beckoning at 0-0 Rangers went down the slope and on the last tackle stand-off Morgan Smith coolly drop goaled the winning point from twenty metres. 

Played in continuous rain neither side deserved to lose especially in those circumstances. Credit to all the players and their coaches as both sides tackled their hearts out with superb sliding defence both teams operating a they-shall-not-pass attitude. 

The Bulls playing down the slope had most of the territory and possession with Rangers having few chances in the first half. In the second half Bulls continued to put more pressure on Rangers but Stanley's defence held out and it was the resilient Rangers who snatched victory with the one-pointer from Morgan Smith.

(This report is courtesy of Steve Manning, BARLA Media Manager)

Stanley Rangers: Billy Hayes, Tony Naylor, Harry Boyes, Liam Senior, Travis Pearson, Morgan Smith, Lewis Heckford, Matty English, Sam Blake, Tom Bailey, Callum Field, Harry Moorland, George Lord. Subs: Jack Badkin, Adam Badkin, Jack Taylor.

Drop Goal: Morgan Smith

Skirlaugh Bulls: Callum Fletcher, Connah Noble, Ben Rayworth, Alfie Potter, Harvey Gotts, Matthew Norman, Joe Macklin, Brad Gotts, Steve Clarke, Joel Marquez-Laynez, Charlie Weaver, Joe Cator, Lewis Hames. Subs: James Williams, Brad Clavering, Jack Sanderson, Carl Bellis.

Referee: Ryan Keir
Touch Judges: Neil Rigby, Peter Mooney
Fourth Official: Connor Astbury
Man of the Match: Brad Clavering Skirlaugh Bulls

Photos courtesy of Julia Lord