DEWSBURY MOOR MAROONS 18 WOOLSTON ROVERS 16

IMPACT PERFORMANCE NCL – DIVISION TWO – 15/04/2023

Woolston Rovers suffered last second heartache as a converted try seven minutes into injury time saw them lose their 100% record at the hands of Dewsbury Moor Maroons in an enthralling Impact Performance National Conference League Division Two game at Heckmondwike Road Dewsbury.

In a cagey opening both sides defensive skills were apparent and it took until the seventeenth minutes for the deadlock to be broke as the home side hit the front with a try from hooker Ryan Crossley. Full back Aiden Ineson converted but then with five minutes remaining in the first half Rovers responded with a trademark try from hooker Adam Files. Scrum half Dec Leonard added the conversion to make the score 6-6 at the half time interval.

Three minutes into the second half Rovers went ahead with a second try from A Files. Leonard converted and then seven minutes later centre Dan Fearnley scored to move his side ten points ahead.

Dewsbury Moor had Ineson sin binned for use of a swinging arm on the floor but almost immediately they got back into the game with a try from prop forward James Samme. Scrum half Louie Walker converted to narrow the deficit to just four points.

The Maroons winger Jake Butterfield was then shown a yellow card for an accidental kick to the head but Rovers were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage and then with almost the last touch of the game Samme crashed over at the side of the posts to level matters. Ineson added the simple conversion to break Rovers hearts and give Dewsbury a narrow 18-16 win.

The Man of the Match was awarded to Rovers loose forward Harry Files. He was very well supported by second row Scott Whiteley and prop forward Ryan Palin.

Rovers

Ben Dixon, Simon Bishop, Dan Fearnley, Craig Woolvine, Louis Griffiths, Ryan Brown, Dec Leonard, Ryan Palin, Adam Files, Matt Taylor, Ryan Hickman, Scott Whiteley, Harry Files.

Subs: Will Roberts, Theo Holt, Lewis Dawson, Sam Roberts.

Tries

A Files (35 mins, 43), Fearnley (50).

Goals

Leonard 2