Trojans' emphatic win secures play-off spot

The result confirmed Thornhill’s play-off spot in front of a large travelling support and condemned the Leeds team to relegation.

Mindaugas Bendikas scored a hat-trick of tries as Stanningley had no answer to his pace.

Man-of-the-match Danny Ratcliffe was again in menacing form as he guided the Trojans around the field.

Jake Wilson was also revealed to be a useful goal kicker as he took over the duties part way through the game and landed some difficult goals to take the plaudits at full-time.

Thornhill attacked from the off and a brilliant break from James Craven almost brought the opening score but the final pass went to ground.

Another raid from Craven created an opening for Bendikas to force his way over for an unconverted try out wide.

Soon after, Bendikas collected a kick and sprinted almost the full length of the field to score a terrific individual try and George Woodcock converted.

Luke Haigh broke clear before combining magnificently with Liam Morley, who sent Joss Ratcliffe powering over for an unconverted try.

Bendikas turned provider when his perfectly weighted pass picked out Woodcock to cross for an unconverted try in the corner.

Any hopes of a second half revival from Stanningley were quickly dashed as Scott Lee snapped up a loose ball to race clear for the try. Stand in goal kicker Wilson converted.

Thornhill then had two tries disallowed as Bendikas raced clear only for the referee to rule that the final pass was forward and Josh Clough was then denied in similar fashion.

The sin-binning of Stanninley’s Dean Parker for dissent allowed Thornhill to capitalised as George Stott broke clear to score and Wilson kicked a brilliant goal from out wide.

An up field move from Thornhill was then completed when Morley put Danny Ratcliffe away and over for a try. Wilson converted.

Stanningley then scored a consolation try, attributed to Sean Cooper, despite Thornhill claims he had lost the ball.Naill Murphy converted.

Danny Ratcliffe charged down a Stanningley kick to stroll away for a try which this time Bendikas converted.

Ryan Fenton collected the ball and sent out a pass which put Ben Kendall on a run through a tiring Stanningley defence and he dived acrobatically between the posts for a try which Wilson converted.

In the final minute Morley and Scott Dyson combined to send Bendikas away to complete his hat-trick. Wilson converted as the Trojans brought their league season to a close.

Thornhill now travel to Blackbrook in the Division Two play-off semi-final on Saturday.