A Round-Up from this weekend's National Conference League action!
Three tries in the last ten minutes tipped this National Conference League Division One game in Wigan St Judes' favour.
Stanningley had fought back from 16-4 down early in the second half to draw level before Judes' extra individual brilliance saw them home in a game that head coach Dave Myerscough wasn't particularly happy with.
The afternoon started badly for the hosts when they lost Adam Jones late in the warm-up and Adam Lavin was pressed into opening with an SOS call made to Aaron Smith to come in on the bench.
It was an even opening spell with Judes' perhaps winning the territory battle before the visitors scored the first try with a flowing move left seeing Alex Ryan cross in the corner in the 15th minute.
Dean Parker couldn't goal and Stanningley were good leaders until a Danny Cassidy kick at a scrum was chased down by Connor Parkinson to touch down under the posts. Cassidy then added the conversion.
Just four minutes later, the hosts extended their lead to 12-4 when a low nudge from Cassidy was dived on by hard-working back rower Cal Palmer and the Judes' halfback added his second goal and they maintained the score until the half-time break.
The hosts were well served throughout by Kenny Baker with Elliott Garrido also making an impression during his stints on the field. Stanningley were well served by Jamaine Ruan in his first spell while brothers Dion and Jumel Henry were outstanding in different ways - Dion for his athleticism and consistency while Jumel for his shorter powerful bursts.
The new half started in a similar fashion to the first with Stanningley doing okay before Connor Parkinson burst away from the defence and fired his pass wide for brother Harry to go over on the right after 50 minutes.
It was at this point that the visitors started to make more of their possessions and eventually, five minutes later, Luke Townend scored with Parker adding the conversion.
Stanningley continued to battle and their efforts were rewarded when Dion Henry got the try his efforts deserved just after the hour and Parker's second goal made it 16-16.
Then in the final ten minutes Wigan St Judes' flickered into life with Reece McNally crossing. Although Cassidy couldn't goal, he was on hand to add the extras to his own try after he bludgeoned over with barely four minutes remaining.
Stanningley went into full attack mode but couldn't breach the hosts defence and when Adam Butterill attempted a kick forward at a scrum, this was charged down and Connor Parkinson chased on to score with Cassidy adding his fourth goal to wrap up the 32-16 success.
Elsewhere in Division One, Ince Rose Bridge defeated Heworth, Egremont Ranges collected their first win of the season in a close game at Kells, Shaw Cross Sharks enjoyed an emphatic success over Crosfields and fellow promoted side Oldham St Annes won at Woolston Rovers.
The Premier Division produced a series of close results this week with wins of four points or less for York Acorn over Waterhead Warriors, West Hull against Lock Lane and West Bowling over Rochdale Mayfield. Leigh Miners Rangers also won against fellow promoted side Dewsbury Moor Maroons and Wath Brow's home form saw them defeat Siddal. Thatto Heath Crusaders topped forty points in victory at Hunslet.
There were four close encounters and two runaway wins in Division Two. East Leeds were in supreme form to win comfortably over Normanton Knights while Clock Face also enjoyed their afternoon with a home win over Drighlington.
Pilkington Recs won a thriller at Dewsbury Celtic while Hensingham recovered from 4-12 down to win against Barrow Island. Hull Dockers then picked up their first win of the season at home against Ellenborough Rangers andThornhill Trojans prevailed against Skirlaugh.
Division Three fully got underway this week with Myton continuing their good start with a narrow win at Distington.
Featherstone Lions also won a tough opener against Leigh East and a late conversion ensured Bentley spoiled Keighley Albion's NCL welcome party. Millom just held off a determined effort from Milford and Saddleworth Rangers edged a solid Beverley.
Results (Saturday 22 March):
Premier Division
Hunslet ARLFC 18 Thatto Heath Crusaders 42
Leigh Miners Rangers 16 Dewsbury Moor Maroons 8
Wath Brow Hornets 28 Siddal 12
West Bowling 28 Rochdale Mayfield 26
West Hull 30 Lock Lane 28
York Acorn 18 Waterhead Warriors 14
Division One
Ince Rose Bridge 26 Heworth 6
Kells 16 Egremont Rangers 20
Shaw Cross Sharks 54 Crosfields 10
Wigan St Judes 32 Stanningley 16
Woolston Rovers 12 Oldham St Annes 30
Division Two
Clock Face Miners 32 Drighlington 6
Dewsbury Celtic 10 Pilkington Recs 14
East Leeds 72 Normanton Knights 6
Hensingham 20 Barrow Island 12
Hull Dockers 28 Ellenborough Rangers 16
Thornhill Trojans 26 Skirlaugh 20
Division Three
Distington 10 Myton Warriors 14
Featherstone Lions 10 Leigh East 8
Keighley Albion 24 Bentley 26
Millom 32 Milford 30
Saddleworth Rangers 31 Beverley 24
Fixtures (Saturday 29 March):
Premier Division
Dewsbury Moor Maroons v West Hull 14:30
Rochdale Mayfield v Hunslet ARLFC 14:30
York Acorn v Siddal 14:30
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Lock Lane 14:30
Waterhead Warriors v West Bowling 14:30
Wath Brow Hornets v Leigh Miners Rangers 14:30
Division One
Crosfields v Heworth 14:30
Egremont Rangers v Stanningley 14:30
Oulton Raiders v Wigan St Judes 14:30
Shaw Cross Sharks v Kells 14:30
Wigan St Patricks v Oldham St Annes 14:30
Ince Rose Bridge v Woolston Rovers 14:30
Division Two
Ellenborough Rangers v Thornhill Trojans 14:00
Drighlington v Hensingham 14:30
East Leeds v Clock Face Miners 14:30
Hull Dockers v Dewsbury Celtic 14:30
Normanton Knights v Barrow Island 14:30
Skirlaugh v Pilkington Recs 14:30
Division Three
Bentley v Distington 14:30
Beverley v Keighley Albion 14:30
Leigh East v Millom 14:30
Milford v Featherstone Lions 14:30
Saddleworth Rangers v Myton Warriors 14:30
By Dave Parkinson
