NICK SMITH FOUNDATION UNDER 14 BARLA NATIONAL CUP FINAL

CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE 19

RYLANDS SHARKS 18

The opening game for the inaugural Nick Smith Foundation Under 14 BARLA National Cup was a battle of the infamous Mount Pleasant slope at Batley, the Sharks winning it three tries to two but a drop goal and second half try playing up the slope saw Lock Lane edge a classic by one point.

Both sides put in some bruising tackles but Lock Lane playing downhill had a try disallowed for a forward pass but minute’s later player of the match prop David Norton drove over for the opener and standoff Tyler Czmeiduck added the extras, the first of his four goals.

Sharks rallied and Connor Phoenix chased again angle grubber which just went dead as he touched down and on Lock Lane’s next set they doubled their lead when centre Tom Marris touched down and in injury time Czmeiduck drop goal made it 13-0.

The Sharks took the game to Lock Lane pressing them down the slope and they were rewarded with their opener when prop Alfie Sinclair drove over from close range and stand off Max McGucken added the first of his three goals on 35 minutes.

The game became end to end but Lock Lane went thirteen ahead again on 43 minutes when winger Archie Holmes went in for his sides third converted try to make it 19-6.

Lane thought that was the game but the Sharks made a dramatic fight back to cut the lead to one point as centre Phoenix went over for a brace in the 45 and 48 minutes. The Sharks defence held their nerve in the final two minutes to hold on for the win to the delight of their fans.

CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE: Riley Lumb, Archie Holmes, Louise Tomlinson, Tom Marris, Jimmy McEvoy, Tyler Czmeiduck, Leyton Davies, Freddie Jones, Taylor Baddely, David Norton, Callum Norton, Ricky Brown, Alfie Longstaff. Substitutes: James Griffiths, Bailey Fisher, Conor Howard, Taylor Spence Horton

Tries: Norton, Sinclair, Holmes

Goals: Czmeiduck 3/3, 1 dg

Drop Goals: Czmeiduck

RYLANDS SHARKS: Harvey Braddish, Dylan Crocker, Dayon Sambou, Connor Phoenix, Ben Will, Matt McGucken, Oscar Hardman, Alfie Sinclair, Ciaran Nolan, Sam Oakes, Jermaine Carty, Callum Gittens. Scott Brinksman. Substitutes: Jack McLoughlin, Ryan Brown, Josh McAndrew, Jimmy Williams.

Tries: Sinclair, Phoenix 2

Goals: McGucken 3/3

Referee: Joshua Egan, Touch Judges: Nathan Taylor, Matthew Kennedy

Player of the Match: David Norton (Castleford Lock Lane)

Game filmed by Alpha Photography, 63 Dale St, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3NJ, 07973 735570

Steve Manning

BARLA Media Manager