Impressive Manor Croft reach Yorkshire Cup final

The Manor Croft youngsters produced a superb display to defeat last year’s Yorkshire Cup winners and National Cup runners-up Malet Lambert School of Hull in the semi-final.

Malet Lambert took an early lead but Manor Croft replied through a Luke Barlow try.

Half-backs Stan Kilburn, Wesley Bruines and Taylor Beaumont led Manor Croft, while strong running from Callum Sykes, Paul Chikuane, Wilson and Ben Kaye brought tries for Kilburn and Barlow to put them 14-12 up at half-time.

Manor Croft had received tips from a training session with Huddersfield Giants in the build up and took control to score further tries from Kian Lister, Luke Barlow and a length of the field effort from Callum Sykes, with Bruines and Kilburn converting to extend the lead to 28-12.

Malet Lambert hit back with two tries to make it 28-22 before Bruines eased Manor Croft’s nerves with a drop goal, while two excellent tackles by George Boot secured an historic win.

The Year 8s have been supported by England youth players Joe Summers and Josh Pinder from Manor Croft Year 11. They now play Outwood Grange in the Yorkshire Cup final at Castleford Tigers and host Cumbrian school Downsdale in the National Cup quarter-final.

Manor Croft Year 8s’ route to the final:

First round: 78-0 v St John Fisher

Second round: 34-10 v 10 MFG

Third round: 58-0 v Lightcliffe

Last 16: 34-8 v Woodkirk (Leeds)

QF: 32-12 v St Wilfrids (Wakefield)

Semi Final: 29-22 v Malet Lambert (Hull)