Wibsey Warriors bowed out of the PENNINE PRESIDENT’S CUP in heartbreaking fashion as Hunslet Old Boys clinched a 13-12 victory.
The second-round tie was eventually decided by a ‘golden point’ after extra time had failed to separate the sides.
Wibsey had most of the early play, only to fall 4-0 behind to the recently crowned Yorkshire Cup winners.
But the Warriors managed to push their noses in front ten minutes into the second half when scrum half Andy Robinson bamboozled the host defence to cross for a try he converted himself.
Hunslet hit back with a six-pointer, while Wibsey were denied shortly afterwards when packman Chris Vogel was held up over the line.
Robinson then put a long pass out wide to send wingman Ben Cousins in at the flag to finish normal time locked at 10-10. The two sides then exchanged penalties but the game was still locked at 12-12 after extra time.
With darkness descending fast, the Old Boys finally landed a drop goal to end a titanic struggle no-one deserved to lose.
Wibsey’s Mike Horrocks was particularly impressive after completing a staggering 67 tackles in the game. Meanwhile, Liam Darville scored a hat-trick as Birkenshaw eased through 56-4 at home to New Earswick All Blacks.
Birkenshaw went into the tie with six players missing through injury but the shortage had little effect in an all-round sparkling performance.
Benoit Rogers scored two tries, with Johnny Tipton, Damian Smith, Alan Binns, Richard Rhodes and Lee O’Connor also reaching the whitewash. Shaun Godfrey and Micky Emmott added the goals.
The second round of the ANDREW BENNETT MEMORIAL TROPHY brought little cheer locally.
Odsal Sedbergh lost 28-0 at home to Brighouse Rangers, while West Bowling A were demolished 68-12 at Selby Warriors.
Wyke did keep the flag flying as they progressed 40-10 at Wortley Dragons.
But Undercliffe Wildboars’ hopes of a SUPPLEMENTARY CUP and Pennine League Division Six double came crashing down in an 18-16 home defeat at the hands of Whitehall Warriors.
Meanwhile, league action saw Clayton move a step away from the PREMIER DIVISION relegation zone with an 18-10 home success over bottom side St Joseph’s.
The villagers were good value for their 12-10 interval lead following tries from Dan Clarke (2) and Simon Giles.
St Joseph’s must have thought they would have the game in the bag playing downhill on the restart.
But a Sam Goodchild try and Jason Woolham’s conversion proved decisive in a defensive display that kept the visitors from disturbing the scoreboard any further.
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