Thornhill Trojans celebrate after being crowned champions

The Trojans went into their fixture with Clayton knowing if they were to win by more than four points they would take the title.

In a winner takes all clash Clayton would be champions if they won and they played their part in an exciting encounter, but it was Thornhill who emerged as 38-22 winners.

With everything to play for it made for a tense game as Clayton refused to give up the chase, despite Thornhill holding the lead for most of the game.

Man of the match Joel Gibson was in inspired form, registering a hat-trick of ties. There was also a stand-out showing from Rye Ward and Adam Johnson.

Johnson opened the scoring when he romped away from the half-way line.

Thornhill's solid start continued when Gibson broke clear and sprinted between the posts to score a try he converted himself.

But Clayton were on a mission of their own. It was their stand out player James Todd who somehow stood up in the tackle, right on the try-line to reach down and plant the ball over the try line. Tom Bell converted.

A try from Rye Ward when he ran through the defence, soon cancelled out this score. Gibson converted before Sam Ratcliffe picked up a ball following a kick to dive over for another try.

Quick hands from Clayton overstretched the Thornhill defence and Harrison Pendlebury went over for an unconverted try to make it 20-10 at half-time.

Trojans stretched their lead after the break as a smart Bailey Lee pass sent Gibson over and Ratcliffe added the extras.

Gibson completed his hat-trick when he ran around the Clayton full-back to step away and score. Ratcliffe converted.

A chip over was collected by Johnson to score and with Ratcliffe goaling it Thornhill looked to have completed the job. But Clayton made it a tense finish when James Todd forced his way over from close range and Bell converted.

Luke Sutcliffe then scored and Bell goaled again, but the Trojans held on and the referee’s whistle signalled that they were the champions.