Trojans earn localbragging rights

THORNHILL Trojans earned the derby bragging rights as they overcame Dewsbury Moor in the Pennine League Premier Division.

Thornhill made the better start and could have opened the scoring three times in the opening 10 minutes but had one effort ruled out for a double movement, were then held up over the try line and had a third pulled back for a forward pass.

Adam Bird eventually pounced on a loose ball to score the opening try after 21 minutes.

Thornhill’s lead was shortlived as Moor’s Dean Arundel pounced on a mistake to score and Peter Robinson converted to edge Moor ahead.

Anthony Boardman capitalised on poor Thornhill defending to score two minutes later.

Jake Wilson stood up in a tackle and offloaded to Thornhill man-of-the-match Scott Green, who powered between the posts for a try converted by Andrew Bates.

Shortly after Wilson gathered a Bates kick through to score and Bates again converted as Thornhill led 16-10 at half-time.

Straight after the re-start another kick through from Bates set up Jonny Mack to score between the posts. Bates converted.

As Moor attempted to kick a penalty for touch, Bird collected the ball and fed Wilson, who finished off the move by sending Ben Kendal over but Bates hit the post with his conversion attempt.

Newcomer Steve Grundy increased the home side’s lead when he shrugged off several tacklers on a run to the line and Bates added the goal.

Moor were not finished and hit back when Lee Burton crossed for a try which Andrew Robinson improved but hard working centre Liam Green capped Thornhill’s win when he scored the final try two minutes from full-time and Bates landed his fifth goal.

Moor remain bottom of the table still searching their first win, while Thornhill are eighth with three wins from their eight matches.

Both sides take a break from league action this week as they face tasty Yorkshire Cup quarter-finals.

Moor’s bid to reach the last four sees them entertain Pennine Championship side Nevison Leap, while Thornhill visit West Bowling (2pm).

The other quarter-finals are Drighlington v Keighley, Sharlston Rovers v Westgate.

Batley Boys24

Morley Borough20

BATLEY Boys maintained the pressure on the top two sides in Pennine League Division One thanks to a dramatic victory over Morley Borough.

With the sides locked at 20-20 in the latter stages, Batley launched a final attack, with Adam Lister feeding Josh Whitehead, who ran at the Borough defence before slipping a lovely ball out to Nick Thompson to score the match clinching try.

Batley made a bright start despite the boggy conditions on the Staincliffe pitch and played some fine rugby to create tries for Whitehead and Rob Bingham as the Boys took a 10-0 lead.

However, Batley then conceded several silly penalties which allowed Morley to hit back at level before half-time.

Borough came out for the second half with determination and another converted try put them 16-10 ahead.

Batley responded with a spell of pressure and having penned Borough in their own ‘25 for a spell, a mistake gifted the home side possession.

Aaron James took the ball from acting half-back and burst through to score, with Adam Bingham converting to make it 16-16.

Morley regained the lead with an unconverted try but the Boys hit back strongly and with just 10 minutes remaining they equalised once more.

Morley appeared content to settle for the draw against the high flying Boys but Batley pressed for the winner and were rewarded when Thompson crossed with just seconds remaining.

MoM went to Whitehead, closely followed by Tom Dransfield, Ryan Crossley and Andrew Corrigan, in his first game back at the club.

Victory leaves Batley third in Division One, level on 12 points with second placed Methley Royals.

They are just two behind leaders Upton but both have two games in hand in what is proving to be a keenly contested title race.

Batley will have their work cut out this Saturday when they travel to Premier Division side Slaithwaite Saracens in the President’s Cup first round.

Slaithwaite boast a number of professional players from Swinton Lions in their ranks and have won five of their opening six matches