Latest News GNYL Week 22 Reports
| GNYL Week 22 Reports |
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| Monday, 16 March 2009 04:36 |
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The GNYL Management Committee met during the week, ostensibly to discuss the havoc that the worst winter weather for twenty years has wrought on the fixture list.
With some of the distances involved and the limited number of weekends available for proposed re-scheduling, three matches have been awarded in order to maintain the integrity of the original schedule. Exhaustive discussions as to whether the season could be extended confirmed that such an option, although desirable, was not viable, the date of the Grand Final having been confirmed as the end of April with movement restricted by the Murrayfield Magic Weekend at the beginning of May and the subsequent BARLA Youth County Cup Finals. As a result, it was decided that both unplayed Celtic Crusaders home fixtures against North London Stags and Leigh Miners Rangers would be deemed 0-0 draws as no side could be apportioned blame for cancellation in each case, Rangers having travelled to South Wales only for torrential rain to rule out the eagerly awaited clash last weekend. The return fixture between the league leaders and the Welshmen, which was originally called off because the Crusaders had seven men selected for international duty with the GB Community Lions, cannot realistically be fitted in as a midweek game under floodlights at Kirby Road and, as such, has been awarded to Leigh Miners by an 18-0 score line in accordance with the league rules. All other fixtures have been re-scheduled with pitches at Lock Lane and Dudley Hill on standby to host midweek matches under lights, if needed. The top six play offs will commence on the weekend of the 5th April with the Grand Final scheduled for the Stobart Stadium, Widnes on Sunday 26th April with a 2.30 kick off.. As part of the Grand Final, the League will make presentations to the ‘Player of the Year’, ‘Coach of the Year’ and ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ based on nominations from the clubs. Their representatives will also be canvassed as to their preferred day and time for matches and discussions have been instituted about whether there is a demand for the competition to be played in the summer, which is the unanimous recommendation of the Management Committee. ROUND UP - SIDDAL maintained their strong end to the season to go up to tenth with a merited 24-10 defeat of EAST LEEDS who, after two away defeats this week, are in danger of surrendering their play off spot. Winger Matthew Price opened the scoring for the hosts with a try in the top corner converted by Joshua Sandland. Ashley James replied for Easts, taking a fine inside pass to go over near the posts, Aaron Manning levelling. Greg Firth’s touchdown put Siddal back in front by the break and they could have been further ahead had hooker Daniel Russell not had two tries disallowed. Thomas Heggarty extended the Siddal lead nine minutes into the second half, Sandland again adding the extras but Chris Hindle pulled the visitors back into contention at 16-10. They were on the attack again when a bomb on the last tackle was expertly taken by Siddal full back Emerson Newborn who sprinted 60 metres to score a thrilling, game breaking try. Sandland completed the scoring with his now customary four-pointer and, two minutes from time, East Leeds loose forward Luke Tomlinson allowed his frustrations to boil over and he was dismissed. FEATHERSTONE LIONS completed their league programme with a 40-14 win at KEIGHLEY COUGAR CUBS and they must now sit back and wait to see if their efforts will result in a top six spot. Although the final score was convincing, the Cubs were 14-10 ahead at half time but were undone by class of Lions stand off Richard Frankland who was the master creator. Winger Jacob Scoffins opened the scoring in the first minute, Frankland converting, Keighley responding with a penalty from Callum Hudson. Centre Jack Cawood crossed twice for the Cubs and Hudson landed two penalties, a Josh Hardcastle try keeping the Lions in contention. The second half was all Featherstone, Hardcastle crossing four minutes after the break to establish a lead they never lost. Two touchdowns in three minutes from winger Darrell Olphert and prop Gareth Jones extended the visitor’s advantage, Olphert having another score disallowed before Joe Flounders sealed victory in the 55th minute. Steve Clough and Tom Flounders completed the try scoring for Featherstone, Frankland finishing with four goals. LEIGH EAST are on the fringe of the play offs after a 34-10 victory over INCE ROSE BRIDGE. Easts built an 18-4 half time lead thanks to tries from Mark Ballard, wingers Jack Davies and Jack Holcroft, the game’s most impressive performer Steven Grundy kicking three goals. Gareth Jones claimed Ince’s first half score and although Holcroft bagged a second three minutes after the break, hooker Matty Meadon kept Ince in with a chance, Kenny Baker’s goal making it 22-10. Davies added his second and Danny Weaving completed the scoring. CELTIC CRUSADERS edged back into second with a hard fought 26-16 win at SADDLEWORTH RANGERS while WEST HULL kept up their play off charge but were pushed all way by GATESHEAD THUNDER before emerging victorious 30-26. It took a last minute try from Anthony Tognolia to secure the spoils for Wests, for whom scrum half Liam East was again the stand out performer. RESULTS FIXTURES |