SHAW CROSS SHARKS 30 WOOLSTON ROVERS 26

IMPACT PERFORMANCE NCL DIVISION TWO – 29/04/2023

Woolston Rovers suffered a second late defeat in three weeks when they succumb to a second half fightback by Shaw Cross Sharks in the Impact Performance National Conference League Division Two game at Leeds Road, Dewsbury.

Rovers got off to the perfect start when they opened the scoring in the very first minute with a try from winger Alex Pendlebury and then three minutes later hooker Adam Files crossed wide out for Rovers second early score.

The home side got off the mark on fifteen minutes with a try from prop forward Zac Parkinson that loose forward Dec Tomlinson converted but Rovers were soon back on the front foot as loose forward Scott Whiteley scored a try and then just before the half hour scrum half Dec Leonard also went over for a four pointer. Full back Theo Holt converted both tries to give his side a deserved 20-6 half time lead although they were reduced to twelve men two minutes before the break when centre Kieran Moore was sent off for throwing a punch.

Shaw Cross came out firing straight after the restart when winger Lucas Howley scored two quick tries within seven minutes; Tomlinson converted the latter and then almost immediately full back Callum Barker went over for a try. Tomlinson’s conversion put the home side ahead for the first time.

A melee then ensued with the referee dismissing Rovers substitute Oliver Livett along with Shaw Cross centre Brandan French and Howley to leave both sides with eleven men and when Shaw Cross were temporarily reduced to ten men with the sin binning of Tomlinson for dangerous contact Rovers took advantage of the extra man as Whiteley went over for his second try with Holt tagging on the extras.

As the game reached the final two minutes Shaw Cross substitute Lucas Smith went over for a try. Tomlinson converted and then added a last minute penalty to give the Sharks a 30-26 victory.

Best for Rovers were hooker Adam Files, full back Theo Holt, loose forward Scott Whiteley and prop forward Harry Files.

ROVERS ‘A’

Theo Holt, Alex Pendlebury, Kieran Moore, Ben Dixon, Tom Byrne, Ryan Brown, Dec Leonard, Harry Files, Adam Files, Ryan Hickman, Sam Vernon, Dan Fearnley, Scott Whiteley.

Subs: Sean Boyle, Oliver Livett, Sam Roberts, Craig Lawton.

Tries

Pendlebury (1 min), A Files (4), Whiteley (22, 66), Leonard (29).

Goals

Holt 3