In Game 3 Lancashire were crowned the Under 17’s BARLA Three Counties Champions at Crossfields ARLFC as they retained their title and now having won the championship in eight out nine seasons since the championship began, with this nine try rout over deadly rivals Yorkshire and their biggest win in the history of the competition.
The mathematics was that for Yorkshire to win their second title in this ‘War of the Roses’ clash they needed to win by eight points to do so. This was never going to happen as the hosts established a 24-0 half time lead. Crucially for Yorkshire was a sin binning when trailing by only six points and the hosts made them pay with two converted tries.
Lancashire showed resolute defence especially on their own tryline, showing plenty of heart and determination with a smaller Lancashire pack with Lewis Bolton, Brandon Tickle and Jack Taylor leading by example, laid the platform for the backs to show off their silky skills.
Yorkshire however had no answer in the 2nd half, when Lancashire were absolutely rampant and relentlessly piled on the points quickly passing the 20, 30 and then 40 point mark playing champagne rugby league.
With 10 minutes to go, Lancashire played all their pivots at one time and the resulting team try finished off by Wilkinson was possibly one of the finest try's scored by a Lancashire u17s team and tipped the half century mark, it was just like watching the famous Harlem Globetrotters such was the skills on show.
Yorkshire simply couldn't handle the constant probing from Thomas Woodward and Jonny Openshaw and were wholly mesmerised by the distribution and kicking game from Keiron Wilkinson, Sam Burns who was a constant threat, the classy Reece Storey and hat trick hero Arron Pimblett.
The result saw Cumbria finishing as runners up and Yorkshire collecting the wooden spoon much to the delight of champions Lancashire.
Steve Manning
BARLA Media Manager
