Lock Lane collect third win of the season in NCL Premier Division with victory over Hunslet ARLFC

Here's what happened in the latest round of the National Conference League...

In the latest round of the National Conference League, Lock Lane secured their third win of the season with a dominant home victory over a much-changed Hunslet ARLFC, the reigning NCL Premier Division Champions.

Due to retirements, player transfers, and unavailability, Hunslet were left with only five players taking the field who had featured in their Grand Final victory last October.

Lock Lane, too, have undergone some changes this season. The team is without long-serving player Chris Siddons, who has moved to Australia. However, their pack has developed a tough edge, and the addition of Leyton Davies from local rivals Fryston Warriors has also strengthened the squad. Prop Harvey Kear brings a combination of skill and raw power to the front row, while Morgan Jones continues to be a prolific point scorer this year, adding another 14 points to his tally in this match.

Hunslet started the game strongly, with James Morgan making an impressive break that was only halted by new Lock Lane captain, Lewis Price. Halfbacks Jordan Gale and the promising Billy Stead worked well together in the opening half, and second rower Dillan Thornton was a standout throughout the game. Despite this, it was Lock Lane who gradually asserted control.

The first try came in the 14th minute when a fumble from a Calum Butler kick in Hunslet’s backline allowed Morgan Jones to capitalise, touching down for the opening score and his sixth try of the season. He converted his own try, and just a few minutes later, Lock Lane struck again. Kear faked a pass and broke through three defenders to score under the posts. Jones added the extras, and then, in the 32nd minute, he converted a third try from Kieron Purdy. This score came against the run of play, as Hunslet had been applying pressure to Lock Lane's line moments before.

At halftime, Lock Lane led 18-0. The second half began poorly for Lock Lane when Harry Swann was sinbinned for a trip in the 43rd minute. Hunslet capitalised on their numerical advantage, quickly reducing the deficit after some great hands paved the way for Thornton, with Jordan Gale goaling. However, Lock Lane responded with a brilliant try just before the hour mark. After Hunslet spilled the ball during an attack, Danny Sowerby picked it up and raced 50 metres before passing to Swann, who offloaded to Tom Sowerby. The winger sprinted into the corner, and Jones added the conversion to make it 24-6.

The next 20 minutes were a scrappy affair, with handling errors and personal confrontations dominating play. One such flashpoint saw referee Liam Breheny reach for the yellow card again in the 70th minute, sinbinning both Tommy Corke of Hunslet and Calum Butler of Lock Lane after a dominant tackle by Butler led to the pair facing up. With three minutes left, Lock Lane sealed the win with a final try. Kear shifted the ball across the field, and Shaun Pick powered through the Hunslet defence to score. Jones completed his perfect kicking performance with his fifth conversion, making the final score 30-6.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division there were wins for West Bowling, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Siddal, West Hull and York Acorn.

While in Division One Ince Rose Bridge made an early start to the weekend with a convincing win at Oulton on Thursday night and there were also wins on Saturday for Heworth, Kells, Oldham St Annes and Stanningley. Wigan St Judes hosted a big crowd, and Wigan St Patricks with the game finishing in a draw.

East Leeds continue to dominate in Division Two, topping over seventy points for the third successive game, this time against Thornhill Trojans, while Clock Face Miners, Barrow Island, Dewsbury Celtic and Normanton Knights all enjoyed big wins and Pilkington Recs had a hard fought success over Hensingham.

Saddleworth Rangers remain the only unbeaten side after three games in Division Three and there was also notable away successes for Leigh East and Bentley, while Keighley Albion collected their second win of the season following a close game with Myton Warriors.

 
Results:

Premier Division

Saturday 5 April 

Dewsbury Moor Maroons 26 West Bowling 32

Thatto Heath Crusaders 48 Leigh Miners Rangers 24

Lock Lane 30 Hunslet ARLFC 6

Siddal 30 Waterhead Warriors 10

West Hull 34 Rochdale Mayfield 4

York Acorn 26 Wath Brow Hornets 18

 

Division One

Thursday 3 April 

Oulton Raiders 4 Ince Rose Bridge 48

Saturday 5 April 

Heworth 36 Egremont Rangers 16

Kells 48 Woolston Rovers 4

Oldham St Annes 26 Crosfields 18

Stanningley 12 Shaw Cross Sharks 10

Wigan St Judes 16 Wigan St Patricks 16

 

Division Two

Saturday 5 April 

Clock Face Miners 42 Skirlaugh 16

Barrow Island 56 Hull Dockers 14

Drighlington 0 Dewsbury Celtic 46

Normanton Knights 56 Ellenborough Rangers 6

Pilkington Recs 26 Hensingham 16

East Leeds 76 Thornhill Trojans 0

 

Division Three

Saturday 5 April 

Distington 16 Leigh East 18

Featherstone Lions 0 Bentley 18

Keighley Albion 26 Myton Warriors 21

Millom 18 Saddleworth Rangers 32

 

Next round's fixtures:

Premier Division (Saturday 12 April):

Hunslet ARLFC v Wath Brow Hornets

Leigh Miners Rangers v Siddal

Thatto Heath Crusaders v Dewsbury Moor Maroons

Waterhead Warriors v Lock Lane

West Bowling v West Hull

York Acorn v Rochdale Mayfield

 

Division One

Crosfields v Woolston Rovers

Oldham St Annes v Oulton Raiders

Shaw Cross Sharks v Ince Rose Bridge

Stanningley v Heworth

Wigan St Judes v Kells

Wigan St Patricks v Egremont

 

Division Two

Drighlington v Pilkington Recs

Ellenborough Rangers v Barrow Island

Hensingham v East Leeds

Hull Dockers v Normanton Knights

Skirlaugh v Dewsbury Celtic

Thornhill Trojans v Clock Face Miners

 

Division Three

Beverley v Leigh East

Distington v Millom

Keighley Albion v Featherstone Lions

Myton Warriors v Bentley

Saddleworth Rangers v Milford

 

By Dave Parkinson