Siddal's second string summer team kept their season going at CWC Park, with a hard earned win against East Hull on Saturday. The win means Paul Long's Academy team has a chance of lifting the YML Grand Final trophy next Saturday at Batley's ground. Their opponents will be Beverley Braves, who, with ex-Hull players Kirk Yeaman and Richard Horne strengthening their team, overcame previously unbeaten Batley Boys by 6-14.

Defences were on top in the early exchanges until a string of 4 penalties allowed East Hull to keep possession in the Siddal half and they took the lead when their lively hooker scooted over by the side of the posts after 13 minutes. The successful conversion took the score to 0-6.

Scrum half Kyle Ackroyd levelled the scores after 17 minutes. He side stepped his way over the line to touch down and then converted his try for 6-6. The visitors were back in front 2 minutes later when the East Hull centre intercepted a pass from 50 yards out and he raced away to score under the posts. The conversion was a formality, but the tit-for-tat nature of the game continued when Ackroyd's kick was latched upon by lively full back Lewis Hosty who scored. Ackroyd's conversion levelled the scores again at 12-12.

Hosty was at it again after 27 minutes when he beat 3 defenders in a 30 yard dash to the line and another Ackroyd conversion put the home side in front for the first time at 18-12. The visitors refused to lie down and reduced the gap when their useful stand off put a man through a gap near the line and the deficit was reduced to 18-16 after 32 minutes.

The first half scoring was completed by Siddal when a move from the base of the scrum put Dom Booth into space out wide and his arching run resulted in a score out wide. Ackroyd made no mistake with the difficult kick for a 24-16 lead.

As with the first half, defences were once again on top again in the opening 15 minutes of the second period. East Hull were back on the scoresheet after 55 minutes when the loose forward dived over by the side of the posts and the conversion brought the scores back to 24-22.

Jake Smith was next on the score sheet and his touch down was improved by Ackroyd for a 30-22 lead. East Hull bounced straight back when Siddal failed to handle a high kick and the visitors' winger darted down the touchline to score for 30-26.

The last 15 minutes were all Siddal as they produced some expansive rugby against a tiring East Hull team, whose hard working pack were starting to suffer. Conner MacCallum bulldozed his way over the line after 65 minutes. Ackroyd's kick gave the home side some breathing space at 36-26. Three minutes later neat play between Jake Smith, Kyle Ackroyd and Richard Lopag allowed Dom Booth to score again for 40-26,as Ackroyd made his one and only failed conversion attempt of the day.

MacCallum broke through the defence to feed Paul Long and Jake Smith touched down in the corner. Ackroyd's conversion from the touchline made it 46-26. The scoring was completed when Smith turned provider for Ackroyd who juggled with the ball before touching down and his 8th conversion of the day made it 52-26.

Siddal Academy: Lewis Hosty, Matty Prest, Richard Lopag, Kieran Lewis, Dom Booth, Jake Smith, Kyle Ackroyd; Jordan Healey, Danny Rushworth, Matt Turner, Conner MacCallum, Paul Long, Joe Wrigley; Henry Turner, Dom Patrice, Niall Berrett, Gaz English