Pennine cheer for Moor and Trojans

Dewsbury Moor have made a sound start to life in the Pennine League and look well able to compete in Division One East. They started with a narrow defeat by New Earswick but have since gained good wins over Birstall Victoria – another side new to the Pennine League – and Westgate.

Joint coach Dean Lawford will be happy with the start and the likes of Andy Robinson and Adie Moore are using all their experience to bring on another clutch of promising young players at Heckmondwike Road.

There are already signs that Thornhill Trojans will be too strong for Pennine Division Three after relegation last season and the folding of their Conference team.

It has meant several good, experienced players such as Liam Morley and Mark Hodgson are thriving and they too are bringing on good youngsters.

The hoped of a much better season should enable the Trojans to regroup and build a really competitive side and perhaps attract some spectators back to Overthorpe Park, which experienced such big crowds not so long ago before professional clubs realised there was real talent at Thornhill and some of the older hands retired.

It is interesting to see Dewsbury Celtic making good progress on their return to winter rugby in Yorkshire League Division One.

After a weakened side were beaten in their opening fixture, some members of Celtic’s summer squad moved in, among them such as second row man Liam Walmsley, who is surely too good for this level, and brother Alex.

Celtic will also be pleased that a number of their former Under-18 players have stayed on at the club to compete at open age level.

Shaw Cross Sharks A,
with a much bigger squad this time, look set for a good season in Yorkshire League Division Two. One of the highlights of the season should come when they play their two derby fixtures against the new White Rose team, whose headquarters are not much more than a decent 40/20 kick away at Hanging Heaton WMC.

White Rose have started with two wins out of three but all have been away so they have yet to make their home debut at Bywell Fields, where it will be good to see rugby again being played after such as Earlsheaton, Crown and Commercial played there in recent years.