Wibsey Warriors bowed out of the Hamuel Reichenbacher BARLA Yorkshire Cup with their heads held high following a 24-18 semi-final defeat at Thornhill Trojans.
The Warriors hit the front when half-back Ryan Smith crossed and Simon Sewell added the extras.
The odds further increased in their favour when Trojans’ Joss Ratcliffe was sin-binned for holding down.
Thornhill, who are undefeated in the Pennine League Premier Division, made light of their numerical depletion to claw their way in front before centre Nick Walker pegged them back with a touchdown converted by Sewell.
The Trojans once again took the lead before the game was blown wide open when Warriors hooker Mike Horrocks made the chalk and Sewell’s kick reduced the arrears to a vital six-point gap with four minutes to go.
The Trojans however held out for the win that puts them in the final against Hunslet Old Boys at Featherstone Rovers’ ground on December 27.
Wibsey coach Jason Hirst said: “It just wasn’t to be. It was a game of fine margins which could have gone either way.
“We just failed to take a few first-half chances that would have made all the difference. I cannot fault my players though, who were magnificent.”
Queensbury could only muster a Lee Kelly try in a 44-6 Championship reverse at top-of-the-table Methley Royals in a scoreline that flattered the hosts after a late points flurry.
Wyke moved off the bottom of Division One following a 6-6 draw at Sharlston Rovers A.
The black and whites trailed 6-0 at the break before prop Warren Pitman rescued the situation with a touchdown and Jimmy Wain landed a penalty.
Victoria Rangers kept their unbeaten Division Four record intact with an emphatic 50-6 home win over Eastmoor Dragons A.
The Vics posted ten tries by Adam Hirst (2), Liam Vaseley, Rob Stones (2), Aiden Scully, Oscar Woodhead, Isaac Brown, Liam Hood and Simon Gaster. Aiden Scully added five conversions.
The Vics’ second team won 30-16 at Worth Village in a friendly, with Sam Thornton (2), Jason Dalladay, Dave Newell and Mark Smith reaching the whitewash together with five goals from Haydon Sugden.
Outstanding for Vics’ was packman Dave Newell, who earned the man of the match award, and centre Jordan Walker, who was playing his first game in over six years.
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