BARTLETT’S BARLA UNDER 18’S YORKSHIRE CUP FINAL
SKIRLAUGH BULLS 6
EASTMOOR DRAGONS 2
LD Nutrition Stadium
Featherstone Rovers RLFC
On the first game of the day played in continuous driving rain and wind going up the slope, Skirlaugh Bulls came out winners in a close encounter coming from behind in the second half after a pointless first half.
Cups are won and lost on decisions about what to do when awarded penalties and kickable goals, the Dragons may now be ruing running the ball rather than go for two points.
Before that it was enthralling first half with both packs trying to gain advantage with some terrific defence and tackling by both sides.
Bulls playing up the slope saw Keegan Foster held on the line and then had a try disallowed for offside. The Dragons had their moments after forcing Bulls to drop out and they had a half chance but James Barnett couldn’t take the pass as he crashed through the Bulls defence.
With the weather getting worse in the second half the Dragons forced the Bulls to drop out, they were then awarded a kickable penalty but they chose to run and the Bulls held firm, frustration came in as they had a player sinbinned.
The Dragons were getting on top despite that and had a try chalked off but on 50 minutes they took the lead when scrum half Alex Ward kicked a 30 metre penalty for a 2-0 lead.
The Bulls though immediately hit back regaining the ball back from the restart and they were awarded a penalty and standoff Elias Hutchinson duly obliged to level the game.
It was becoming a slog fest with both packs trying to get the next vital score and it came from the Bulls with 10 minutes remaining.
They were putting the pressure on and scrum half Curtis Williamson put a flat inside ball into Jack Oliver who crashed through the Dragons defence to go over from 15 metres.
Hutchinson’s conversion hit the post and it was still game on but they hung on with great defence to win a hard fought game.
SKIRLAUGH BULLS: Will Swift, Jack Dyble, Luke Livinston, Lewis Todd, Ryan Hilton, Elias Harrison, Curtis Williamson, Callum Stack, Reece Smith, Dylan Hayward, Harry Hawker, Josh Oliver. Subs: Keegan Foster, Harrison Fowler, Danny Raven, Tommy Coyle.
EASTMOOR DRAGONS: Jack Raby, Dominic Shaw, Jordan Oxley, Thomas Wrigglesworth, Liam Brady, Connnor Hovell, Alex ward, Connor Ryan, Robbie Powell, Declan Nicholson, Luke Heaton, Luke Peel, Thomas Holroyd. Subs: Jake Smith, Charlie Handforth, James Barnett, Harry Levitt.
Player of the Match: Josh Oliver (Skirlaugh Bulls)
Game filmed by Alpha Photography, Milnrow, 07973 735570
Steve Manning
BARLA Media Manager
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