Mirfield lift Yorkshire Cup

Mirfield lift Yorkshire Cup

A few days ago at Featherstone, Mirfield just got the better of Drighlington after an excellent game.

Here is Dave Parkinson's report, courtesy of League Weekly:

 

DRIGHLINGTON 12

MIRFIELD STAGS 16

The Open Age Yorkshire Cup Final pitted Pennine League rivals Driglington against Mirfield Stags. What a game it was too with bodies strewn across the field into the last ten minutes, both sides having given everything with the Stags just winning through in thrilling fashion.

The first half saw Mirfield attack down the slope at Featherstone and they had the better of the opening exchanges.

Omar Arlwari creating the first chance for Scott Bradley. Casey Canterbury was also hauled down in the try line inside the first five minutes. When Drighlington conceded a penalty for a high tackle on Dom Flanagan, the Stags went on the attack and Brad Delaney fired a pass right for Ryan Fenton to pierce the line. Connor Squires goaled to open a 6-0 advantage.

Fifteen minutes in and Mirfield struck again in clinical style when Ben Kendall stormed through the middle from thirty metres and offloaded for Canterbury to collect and go the rest of the distance to the posts. Squires tagged on the extras for 12-0.

Matthew Goodwill made an immediate impression for Driglington driving through the middle of the defence before being held up while a hoisted kick from Kieron Bolton forced an error. Straight from the scrum a direct run from fullback Macauley Bucci saw him break the tackle and run to the line. Michael Sanderson goaled to bring Drig back in to contention at 12-6.

Wayne Jowett was sinbinned for hitting Ethan Hallas and Drighlington moved into range. Despite this possession, Mirfield held firm and broke away through Canterbury who went sixty metres. From that position, Mirfield went left and Flanagan sent wing Mikey Otty in at the corner to extend the Stags advantage to 16-6.

With neither side giving an inch, that was how it remained at half-time.

The second half was generally a midfield slog for the first ten minutes of the new half, punctuated by a few good passes from the likes of Sanderson and Bolton for Drighlington.

Drighlington then had a chance, Brad Mason intercepting an Arlwari pass, but he was brought down fifteen metres from the line and two tackles later an almighty hit in midfield forced an error.

It was enough to switch the momentum of the game. Eventually, with 13 minutes of the second half gone, Drighlington got their reward as Joe Bownass ran from dummy half and Ethan Hallas got the ball away for Ryan Wilks to go over at the side of the posts. Sanderson converted to close the gap to just four points, 16-12.

Mirfield suffered a blow, losing Connor Squires to injury after a collision following a clever kick by Bolton and more trickery from the boot of the Drighlington stand off saw Tom Pickles go agonisingly close.

The tenseness of the game shone through in the tackling of both teams with Drighlington's Josh Collins being sinbinned for a late hit after 61 minutes.

Mirfield created a rare opportunity when Flanagan slipped the ball out for Otty but he was chased down by Pickles and Drig won the penalty.  Both sides continued their game of cat and mouse with Drig edging things territorially without scoring.

Into the final five minutes there was still little between the teams.

Mirfield saw Brad Delaney sent off for dissent and as Drighlington pushed for the score Hoyle intercepted. A knock on from Mirfield gave Drig one final chance. Joe Bownass hurled himself at the line as the final hooter sounded, held up in such dramatic circumstances, meaning the trophy went to Mirfield.

 

Drighlington: Macauley Bucci, Fenton Walls, Brad Mason, Scott Gobin, Tom Pickles; Kieron Bolton, Michael Sanderson; Andrew Brearley, William Ingleby, Ethan Hallas, Lucas Hallas, Joe Bownass, Ryan Wilkes. Subs: Matthew Goodwill (18), Ryan Gobin, Josh Collins, George Cowburn.

Tries: Bucci (20), Wilks (53)

Goals: Sanderson 2/2

 

Mirfield Stags: Connor Squires, Lewis Holliday, Ryan Fenton, Dom Flanagan, Mikey Otty; Omar Alrwari, Brad Delaney; Andy Berry, Casey Canterbury, Ben Kendall, Craig Miles, Scot Bradley, Jono Hellings. Subs: Lewis Hardy, Wayne Wilson, Micky Hoyle, Wayne Jowett.

Tries: Fenton (9), Canterbury (15), Otty (27).

Goals: Squires 2/3