A close contest was always in prospect between a Stanningley side that only missed out on promotion to the National Conference League’s top flight through an 18-14 defeat at the hands of Ince Rose Bridge in last October’s Division One Promotion Final and a Moor team that had been relegated from the Premier Division.
The old rivals will therefore lock horns in this year’s inaugural National Division One and it will be the Maroons seeking revenge after losing 24-22.
However, it looked, at the interval, as though the Dewsbury side would be hosting Hunslet in round two this weekend.
Will Clarkson had crossed for the visitors on 28 minutes, George Woodcock converting and, after the hosts’ Sam Peel had been sin-binned for dissent, Taireeq Garrick dotted down for Dewsbury to establish a 10-0 interval lead.
Stanningley, however, were 20-10 in front by the hour mark as they turned things round with tries by Dylan MacAndrew, Jeremy Wiscombe, Jack Vincent and Jack Sykes, two of which Zac Clayton improved.
Levi Edwards replied for the Maroons on 62 minutes, Woodcock’s goal pegging Stanningley back to four points, only for McAndrew to claim his second try by way of response.
Dewsbury were given a lifeline when former Hunslet player Fraser Stroud was sin-binned on 75 minutes for a dangerous lift and, a minute late they were only 24-22 behind when Woodcock converted his own score.
But Stanningley held out despite being reduced to 11 men when Alfie Peach copped a yellow card for high contact with two minutes remaining.
Photographer John Victor was at the cup tie and here’s a look at his action pictures from the game:
1. Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Stanningley
Dewsbury Moor Maroons celebrate scoring a try. Photo: John Victor
3. Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Stanningley
Taireeq Garrick takes on two Stanningley defenders. Photo: John Victor
