Wibsey Warriors 38, Hunslet Old Boys 36

Never-say-die Wibsey Warriors pulled off a spectacular victory against red-hot favourites Hunslet Old Boys in a pulsating Ace Insurance BARLA National Cup semi-final at Northfield Road.

The Warriors fell behind to an early converted try before loose forward Harry Hall spun out of two tackles to plant the ball on the line in reply.

That was soon followed by another well-worked effort on the blindside that enabled centre Danny Belcher to cross, leaving scrum half Simon Sewell to add his second conversion.

The visitors responded with brute strength to put centre Kieran Murphy over the chalk and moved ahead when loose forward Carl Briggs bounced off the defensive line to reach the whitewash.

The hosts received a huge boost when they decided to tap and run a head high penalty award which saw fast hands exploit the lack of numbers out wide, leaving wingman Jimmy Rodgers to dive in at the corner.

But they suffered a potentially huge blow when stand-off Andy Robinson collapsed with a knee injury just before the interval.

A reshuffle saw Ryan Smith take the number six spot and his replacement, full back Rodgers, showed his versatility by side-stepping for his second try, leaving Sewell to add the extras for a 22-18 lead shortly after the restart.

Both sides had clearly thrown defence to the wind as the pace increased and the Old Boys showed their class with two more converted touchdowns.

This was soon followed by a another route-one effort when second-row forward John Bradley powered over to establish what appeared to be a decisive 36-22 total.

But the Old Boys tried a rash drop-goal attempt that sailed miles wide and wingman Jamie Brentley added to their embarrassment by taking a quick tap to sprint 60 metres up field and find the supporting Belcher, who raced over in acres of space.

Substitute packman Chris Vogel then proved unstoppable from ten metres out, leaving Sewell to add another successful conversion that closed the gap to 36-34 with all to play for.

The Warriors were rewarded for their composure when they declined a shot at goal following a penalty. They instead ran the ball at speed, with Hall teasing the flat-footed defence to produce a weaving run to the corner for the well-deserved winner.

Wibsey will now contest the June 15 final at Fylde RUFC with Sharlston Rovers, who won their last-four tie 54-28 at Nevison Leap.