Thornhill Trojans 27
A fantastic long-range drop-goal from just inside Stanningley’s half by Thornhill captain Liam Morley proved the difference in this pulsating game.
The game ended in high drama as Stanningley’s Scott Hargreaves scored in t
he final seconds to cut Thornhill’s lead to a point. Stuart Halliday’s conversion attempt failed and Thornhill registered their fourth successive win.
Thornhill were well marshalled by Scott Dyson until he went off with an injured arm. But speedy Thornhill full-back James Craven the MoM. He scored a brace of tries to help Thornhill stay ahead.
Craven opened the scoring when a kick from Dyson saw the Thornhill stand-off floored by a defender. Play continued and Craven was first to the ball and went over for an unconverted try.
Two penalties from Mark Hodgson kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Thornhill hooker Ricky Mayfield came off with a bloody nose and when Dyson was pole-axed, Stanningley’s Chris Rouse sin-binned.
Stanningley scored when prop Eddie Norfolk took a host of defenders over with him and Thornhill led 8-4 at the interval.
In the second half a pass found Craven who stepped through to score a special try. The goal attempt was missed.
Thornhill’s Simon Walker made good ground before a chip from Morley rebounded off a home player into the in-goal area and Anthony Harris touched down, Hodgson converted.
Stanningley refused to give in but Thornhill appeared to have safely defused an attack down the wing. However, the ball wasn’t wrapped up in the tackle and a pass was slipped to David Jennings, who strode over for the simplest of unconverted tries.
This was cancelled out when Thornhill scored the try-of-the-game. Winger Jack Stead cut across towards the opposite wing and sent a long ball to Hodgson, who darted for the line before switching in-field for Walker to score an unconverted try.
Stanningley struck back when Paul Robinson crossed and Halliday converted.
In the final ten minutes Jake Ratcliffe picked up from acting half to socre an unconverted try.
Then came Morley’s crucial drop-goal.
Adam Elwell completed a slick move to score in the corner for Stanningley and Halliday converted.
In the last seconds Stanningley put up a high kick and Hargreaves pounced for the try.
Thornhill players couldn’t watch as Halliday lined up the goal attempt, the ball hit a post and rebounded to safety.
