Rugby League Coaching Manuals

RESULTS  - Elimination Play offs
Hemel Stags 36 Dewsbury Celtic 11
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers 40 Kippax Knights 12 

HEMEL STAGS 36 DEWSBURY CELTIC 11 – Pennine Way - A determined second half performance, which saw them post 24 unanswered points, saw the Stags finally emerge victorious to end the challenge of gallant Celtic in 2010.

Both sides had recorded a win over the other in the regular season and the first forty minutes was the expected tough tussle with nothing in it, Hemel exposing the Dewsbury left hand side after the break to take the spoils.

In warm, sunny conditions and with both sides able to field virtually full strength line ups, there was nothing to choose between them in impressive opening cut and thrust sets that saw the first ten minutes scoreless.

In the 12^th minute, Dewsbury got a repeat set due to a mix up in communication by the Hemel backs and the Yorkshiremen worked the ball to the far right for Danny Crabtree to break a tackle and reach out and touch down.

From BJ Swindells’ re-start, Jamie Acton collected for the Stags and, on the fourth tackle, Gareth Swindells scooted under a pile of bodies for the equalising score.

Some frantic defence was needed by Hemel as Dewsbury put concerted pressure on the home line, James Harmshaw kicking a field goal on the last tackle to edge the visitors a point ahead when territorially on top.

That served more to relieve pressure on the Stags, however, and, on the half hour, Hemel made the most of a back to one call when a kick ricocheted off a defenders’ legs, Matt Mizzi taking several over the line with him as he drove across to restore the home lead.

Two minutes later, a long pass by Stags captain Ben Joyce was intercepted by Celtic full back Danny Thomas who sprinted 50 metres to score in the left corner making it 12-11 at half time.

At the start of the second half, Hemel received a penalty for offside and James Howitt attempted to power over but was held up on line.

On next tackle, Acton dropped the ball but continued heavy Hemel pressure saw it worked to the right wing for Mizzi to again just make the line with an outstretched hand, BJ Swindells missing the difficult conversion when his attempt hit the bar and the ball bounced back.

Two minutes later came the game breaker when BJ Swindells made a 60 metre clearing run but was brought down by a great cover tackle.

With the visiting defence split, though, the ball was worked to the right and Acton finished the move by crossing in the corner.

Another good run by Howitt, who made continual hard yards and a fine kick from Joyce saw Stags obtain another repeat set but Celtic held and responded well, testing the home sliding defence.

Harmshaw failed to reel in a great defence splitting pass from Danny Crabtree with the line wide open and, in response, a superb run by hard working Crosby was spoilt when Stu McIntyre knocked on at the play the ball

On 65 minutes Hemel again exploited a weakness in Celtic’s left side defence where Crosby was rewarded for all his effort; breaking the line and using his giant frame to charge over.

With the Stags on top, the ball was again shipped to the right wing for BJ Swindells to sidestep two Celtic players and sprints over, converting his own effort for a 12-point haul.

Five minutes from time, Harmshaw put a massive hit on Jason Price but the durable Hemel stand off regained his feet and fed the ball to the right once more for Ash Fyson to crash over by the flag. 

STAGS

 Tries: G. Swindells (14), Mizzi (30, 45), Acton (47), Crosby (65), BJ. Swindells (72), Fyson (75)

Goals: BJ. Swindells 4 

CELTIC

Tries: D. Crabtree (12), Thomas (32)

Goals: N. Crabtree

Field goal: Harmshaw 

Men of the Match:      STAGS – Michael Crosby      CELTIC – Danny Thomas

Half time: 12-11

Referee: Chris Leatherbarrow 

HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS 40 KIPPAX KNIGHTS 12 – The Cross - Inform Rangers marched on to the second round of the play-offs with an ultimately comfortable victory over the tenacious Knights who played their part in an entertaining game of knockout football.

Kippax shaded possession throughout the game as Underbank regularly coughed up the ball, but the home side’s resolute defence, once again led by hard working prop forward Dave Valentine, repeatedly thwarted the Kippax attack.

The hosts looked nervous and edgy in the opening quarter as they conceded a procession of unnecessary penalties, whereas the Knights enjoyed the best of the early exchanges, with halves Andy Walker and Chris Redfearn marshalling their troops.

Outstanding prop Adam Scott went close to opening his side’s account but the home defence held out the rampant Knights.

Rangers then broke out from their defensive duties as their impressive young centre Adam Ryder released his wing partner Richard Aka who was bundled into touch by Knights’ full back Danny Gill after a 40 metre dash.

Kiwi prop Victor Smith stepped through two tackles and looked certain to cross for the home side but he lost possession as he stretched out to score.

Knights took the lead after 13 minutes when hooker James Woods coolly slotted over a penalty after Craig Williams was penalised for a high shot.

The visitors continued to dominate field position with Scott leading from the front and offloading superbly in the tackle but after setting up in a great position for the last tackle play Craig Williams picked off a mis-directed kick from Redfearn and raced 40 metres downfield.

From a quick play the ball, Tom Antony hit Alex Chatterton with a superb pass and the fast moving centre raced away from the Kippax defence for a great score.

Neil Barrett easily converted, the first of six successful kicks on the afternoon for the influential stand off.

The home side then stepped up the pressure and, after Kippax were penalised for being offside and Rangers forced two goal line dropouts, Lee St Hilaire demonstrated great footwork to step through and stretch out to score.

With Rangers in full flow, Sam Housley gave a lovely inside pass to the trailing Nathan Williams who found Aka on his shoulder.

The flying winger was hauled down centre field but the ball was moved swiftly to the left and the powerful Ryder crashed over despite the attention of three defenders.

Barrett converted both scores to give Underbank a commanding 16 point lead at the break.

Kippax needed to start the second half well but didn’t as they spilled the last tackle kick on the opening set and, after Smith and Adam Carroll had both gone close, Craig Williams bulldozed his way through several defenders to score wide out.

Barrett kicked a tremendous touchline conversion, the ball hitting the top of the post and the crossbar before finally hitting its mark.

The contest appeared to be over at this point with the home side leading by 22 points but the Kippax had other ideas as Rangers twice lost possession in their own quarter in a five minute period and the visitors punished the errors to great effect.

Firstly Redfearn found his second row team mate Adam Withington running a great line with a flat pass and raced over.

Then the Knights kept the ball alive superbly and with the Rangers defence stretched to its limits Gill chimed into the line on the left to score without a hand being laid on him.

Woods superbly converted from the sideline to narrow the gap to two converted tries and set up a contest again.

Rangers responded impressively to the gauntlet being thrown down and from a scrum on the halfway line, Barrett kicked ahead on the first tackle, the ball wickedly bounced away from the covering Hall and straight into Barrett’s hands who sped over from 20 metres.

Then, at a Kippax scrum feed, tremendous pressure was put on the Knights backs who spilled the ball for Nathan Williams to score

Finally, Ryder completed his brace with his 21^st score of a highly productive first season of senior rugby league after being released by quick hands from Joe Worthington and Barrett.

 RANGERS

1.      Nathan Williams

2.      Richard Aka

3.      Alex Chatterton

4.      Adam Ryder

5.      Joe Worthington

6.      Neil Barrett

7.      Tom Antony

8.      Dave Valentine

9.      Adam Carroll

10.  Victor Smith

11.   Sam Housley

12.   Craig Williams

13.   Lee St Hilaire

Subs (all used)

14.   Leon Alexis-Bailey

15.   Napoleoni Vinaka

16.   Stephen Berry

17.   Sam Dalby 

Tries: Chatterton (21), St Hilaire (30), Ryder (35, 77), C Williams (42), Barrett (56), N Williams (75)

Goals: Barrett 6/7 

KNIGHTS

1.      Danny Gill

2.      Chris Hall

3.      Chris Knowles

4.      Andy Tillett

5.      Andy Jessey

6.      Andy Walker

7.      Chris Redfearn

8.      Adam Scott

9.      James Woods

10.  Andy Walter

11.   Adam Withington

12.   Paul Steel

13.   Mark Holmes

Subs (all used)

14.   Mark Crossfield

15.   Sean Simpson

16.   Scott Holder

17.   Dave Jessey 

Tries: Withington (47), Gill (52)

Goals: Woods 2 from 3, Walker 0 from 1  

Men of the Match:      Rangers – NEIL BARRETT              Knights – ADAM SCOTT

Half time: 18-2

Referee: Michael Mannifield 

FIXTURES 

PLAY OFFS ROUND 2 – Saturday 11^th September 

Qualifying Semi Final – Bramley Buffaloes v Warrington Wizards 

Elimination Semi Final -Hemel Stags v Huddersfield Underbank Rangers