Dewsbury Moor suffer golden point heartbreak

A large crowd at Carr Lane were treated to a cracking game of junior rugby, which saw Dewsbury Moor take an early lead when Jay Scriven barged over following good build up play by Owen Beatie, Tom Berry and Jacob Waite.

Jonathan Diskin converted as Moor led 6-0.

Drighlington hit back with an unconverted try from winger Luke Winterburn, while Iwan Stephens helped the visitors pile on further pressure, with centre Lewis Delaney also proving a threat.

Alex Hirst, Ethan Starkey, Josh Inwood and Callum Brooks produced solid tackles before Moor moved to the other end of the field where stand-off Taylor Franklin wrong-footed the defence and went over for his side’s second try. Diskin again converted and Moor led 12-4 at half-time.

Despite good defending from Aaron O’Neil, Brad Llewellyn, Connor Charlesworth and Callum McGowan, Drighlington staged a second half fightback, scoring unconverted tries through Winterburn and Regan Tolson to level at 12-12.

Moor then conceded a penalty, which Drighlington converted to lead for the first time.

Sam McManus, Brad Frost, Tom Berry and Jay Scriven led an assault on the Drighlington try line.

Moor were awarded a penalty with just two minutes remaining and Diskin kicked the goal to level matters at 14-14 and take the game to extra time.

Jay Scriven made a telling break and Connor Charlesworth scored an unconverted try at the corner to put Moor back in front.

Drighlington refused to lie down and in the second half of extra time, Lewis Delaney dived over for the equalising try, sending the tie to golden point.

Alex Hirst broke away and raced 50 metres but as he looked set to score the winning try, he was denied by a last-gasp tackle from Teegan Tolson.

Drighlington counter attacked and created an overlap for Luke Winterburn to score at the corner flag and send his side into the final.

Although it was a heartbreaking defeat for the Dewsbury Moor youngsters, they will now look to make an onslaught in the BARLA National Cup.