Birstall Vic overcome Trojans A to keep pressure on

The Trojans included Simon Walker and Declan Ryan for their first games of the season. There was also a welcome return to action to Adam Hoyle after injury and Scott Green.

Thornhill were met by solid Birstall defence early on and Vic twice went close through debutant centre Will Brooke and full-back Mick Dyson, who was held up over the line.

Vic props Matthew Smith and Matty Ginnelly returned a Trojans drop out to within 20 metres of the line before scrum-half Brendan Sheridan dummied between the posts.

Ginnelly drove Birstall back into Trojans territory and excellent passing between Sheridan, Dyson and Brooke gave winger Dean Carr an easy finish in the corner.

Dyson added a third Vic try before Thornhill finally gained some field position which allowed second row Vinny Johnson to score.

Birstall completed the first half scoring with Brooke touching down in the corner as the Vic led 22-4.

Strong defence from Anthony Cox and Richard Duffy was backed up with powerful running from Phil Hartley, while stand-off Will Copley controlled the game.

Hooker Tony Aubrey came off the bench to score before prop Matthew Smith crashed over on 70 minutes.

Thornhill full-back Richard Lewellyn grabbed a consolation try but in a crazy final two minutes, Brooke scored twice to complete his hat-trick in his first game for the club.

Copley put Brooke over before quick handling from Matthew Smith allowed man-of-the-match Brooke to score in the corner and Mick Dyson converted to take his tally to six goals from eight attempts.

Copley and Richard Duffy followed Brooke in the MoM awards, while Declan Ryan and Adam Hoyle impressed for Thornhill, whose MoM went to Scott Green.

Birstall host table toppers Hillsborough Hawks on Saturday when Thornhill travel to Dearne Valley Bulldogs.