WOOLSTON ROVERS 24 BARROW ISLAND 16 (IMPACT PERFORMANCE NCL DIVISION TWO - 04/03/2023)

Woolston Rovers got their 2023 season off to a winning start with a hard-fought victory over Barrow Island in the Impact Performance National Conference League Division Two at the Limestone Construction Field, Monk Sports Club.

In a very cagey opening both sides defences were on top and that prevented any score until just before the half hour mark when the home side finally managed to make the breakthrough as centre Ben Dixon slipped a lovely pass to winger James Tarpey who scored in the left corner and then five minutes later Rovers substitute Oliver Livett, on his debut for the club, found second row Sam Vernon who went over for a fine try. Scrum half Dec Leonard added the conversion.

Right on the stroke of half time Barrow Island got themselves back into the game when centre Sam Jones crossed on the left. Stand off Adam Jackson converted to make the interval score 10-6 to Rovers.

Four minutes into the second half Rovers stand off Ryan Brown found loose forward Harry Files and he brushed off the Barrow defence to score. Leonard converted but then just before the hour Island responded with a try from hooker Finley Dutton-Rosconie. Jackson added the conversion.

With ten minutes remaining and the game still in the balance Rovers produced what proved to be the knock-out blow as Leonard found Dixon and he scored on the left. Leonard converted and then added a penalty soon afterwards that meant the last minute try from Island winger Aidan Wright was a mere consolation as the Green & Gold men claimed a deserved 24-16 win.

The Man of the Match went to Rovers stand off Ryan Brown; he was well supported by substitute Oliver Livett, second row Sam Vernon and winger James Tarpey.

Rovers

Theo Holt, Karlton Bates, Kieran Moore, Ben Dixon, James Tarpey, Ryan Brown, Dec Leonard, Ryan Hickman, Sean Boyle, Matt Taylor, Paul Alcock, Sam Vernon, Harry Files.

Subs: Aaron Barber, Oliver Livett, Craig Lawton, Ryan Palin.

Tries

Tarpey (29 mins), Vernon (34), Files (44), Dixon (70).

Goals

Leonard 4

WOOLSTON ROVERS ‘A’ 32 LEIGH MINERS RANGERS ‘A’ 10 (NWML DIVISION TWO - 11/03/2023)

Woolston Rovers ‘A’ began their new season with an excellent home victory over Leigh Miners Rangers ‘A’ in the NWML Division Two at the Limestone Construction Field, Monk Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.

Rovers opened the scoring after just two minutes when good play from second row Tom Fagan saw him find stand off Craig Lawton who sent second row Sam Vernon over for a try. Scrum half Chris Forster converted and then five minutes later Forster found prop forward Ryan Palin in support to score under the posts. Forster added the conversion.

Just before the midway point of the half Miners got on the scoreboard when a kick by stand off Josh Aldred was collected by second row Ralph Wood and he found winger Jacob Farrimond who score in the left corner. Scrum half Isaac Hewitt added the conversion.

Ten minutes later Rovers worked the ball out from a scrum to winger Kieran Jones and his great pass found loose forward Scott Whiteley who score in the left corner and then shortly afterwards substitute Sean Boyle found Forster and his excellent ball put full back James Tarpey through to score at the left of the posts. Forster added the conversion.

Right on the stroke of half time Miners narrowed the gap when Farrimond went over in the left corner to make the interval score 22-10 to Rovers.

Four minutes into the second half Rovers went over for their fifth try when centre Alex Pendlebury scored in the right corner and then with nine minutes remaining an inside ball from Forster found Whiteley who went over for his second try. Forster added the conversion to complete a fine 32-10 win for the Green & Gold men.

The Man of the Match was awarded to Rovers stand off Craig Lawton. He was very well supported by loose forward Scott Whiteley and scrum half Chris Forster.

ROVERS ‘A’

James Tarpey, Kieran Jones, Alex Pendlebury, Craig Woolvine, Simon Bishop, Craig Lawton, Chris Forster, Sam Roberts, Jack Hancock, Ryan Palin, Sam Vernon, Tom Fagan, Scott Whiteley.

Subs: Sean Boyle, Ben Crewe, Andy Addison, Rudi Stewart.

Junior Section Fixtures

TOMORROW SUNDAY 19TH MARCH 2023

Home Fixtures

(pitch allocation subject to change depending on the weather)

Under 7s - Woolston Rovers Greens v Westhoughton Lions

Kick Off 9.45am, Hillock Lane Pitch D

Under 8s - Woolston Rovers v Wigan St Judes

Kick Off 11.00am, Hillock Lane Pitch D

Under 12s - Woolston Rovers Greens v Blackbrook Royals (Cup)

Kick Off 10.45am, The Limestone Construction Field, Monk Sports Club

Under 13s - Woolston Rovers v Culcheth Eagles

Kick Off 12.00pm, Hillock Lane Pitch A

Away Fixtures

Under 9s - Waterhead Warriors v Woolston Rovers

Under 10s - Oldham St Annes v Woolston Rovers Golds

Under 11s - Leyland Warriors v Woolston Rovers

Under 14s - Blackbrook Royals v Woolston Rovers Greens

Under 15s - Halton Farnworth Hornets Reds v Woolston Rovers Greens

Under 15s - Orrell St James v Woolston Rovers Golds

No Fixture

Under 10s - Woolston Rovers Greens

Under 14s - Woolston Rovers Golds

Under 16s - Woolston Rovers