Siddal Shine Under the Pilks Lights

Siddal turned in their best performance of the league season so far to convincingly beat Pilkington Recs in this re-arranged game after the original was abandoned due to an injury to a Pilkington player. Siddal opened strongly and scored three tries in the first 15 minutes to open up a 16-0 lead from which they never looked in danger of losing this game.

Ben Hinsley was first over the line in the 5th minute after good work from hooker Craig Sanderson and props Iain Davies and Byron Smith had taken Siddal deep into Pilks territory. Hinsley capitalised by forcing his way over the try line from a play close to the line. Gareth Blackburn couldn't convert but four minutes later he was lining up conversion number two after a great Siddal try. Skipper Shaun Garrod made the break from deep in Siddal's half down the left side and fed the supporting Blackburn who then drew the cover and passed inside to fullback Freddie Walker who accelerated away from the Pilks defenders to score under the posts. Blackburn added the simple conversion to put Siddal 10-0 up. On the restart Siddal were quickly back on the attack as second row Zack McComb, loose forward Jack Georgiou and wing Taniela Bakosa tested the Pilkington defensive line. Garrod launched a high last tackle kick in the 15 minute which was spilled over the try line by the home side and McComb celebrated by scooping the ball up and running behind the posts for try number three. Blackburn again added the easy conversion for a 16-0 lead.

For the next ten minutes Siddal got on the wrong side of the referee and were heavily penalised but great goal-line defence kept Pilks at bay. However just as it appeared they were going to achieve three successive defensive sets the Pilks halfback grubbered behind the Siddal defensive line and into the Siddal in goal area for a Pilks player to touchdown. The goal was a formality to reduce the deficit to 16-6 and give the home side a little hope.

Once in possession though Siddal always looked like breaking the Pilks defence. Garrod and halfback partner Kyle Ackroyd moved the ball wide to allow centres Joe Martin and Gavin Stead, the opportunity to run at their opponents and Sanderson was able to draw several penalties on the back of quick plays as the Pilks markers were caught offside. It was just a matter of time before Siddal extended their lead and Garrod duly obliged on 35 minutes with a customary short burst and step taking him passed two static Pilks defenders out wide on the left. Blackburn added a great goal from the touchline and Siddal reached half time 22-6 to the good.

The seond half began just as the first with Siddal threatening whenever they had possession. On 46 minutes a great break down the centre of the field by Sanderson was carried on by Walker and then Stead who took three defenders over the line and got the ball down. Blackburn couldn't convert but at 26-6 down Pilks were already looking a beaten side. There was another period of Siddal giving away too many penalties but Pilks couldn't get their attack going as the Siddal defence was on top form. And on 65 minutes that terrific defence helped Siddal make the game safe as Pilks tried to come away from their own line the ball was forced loose by a huge hit by Byron Smith and George Ambler, and as no Pilks player was prepared to put his body on the line the ball was pushed back behind the Pilks try line where Davies was first to get hands on to score a gift of a try. Blackburn added the goal to increase Siddal's lead to 32-6.

Pilks managed to find touch from the restart and so secure the scrum feed and did begin to spread the ball. Siddal continued to be penalised by the referee who decided he'd had enough and sin binned Hinsley. Pilks scored their second try whilst Hinsley was off and with the succesful conversion brought a little respectability to the score line of 32-12. But Siddal finished the game with a flourish. On 73 minutes Garrod spotted the opportunity to fire out a cut out pass to his left which hit Walker at pace. He shot through the Pilks line and rounded the fullback to grab his second try of the night. Blackburn missed the goal but was back lining up a shot at goal in the final minute after a typical Garrod shift down the blindside from a play the ball and quick, flat pass to Blackburn allowed the winger go over for try number eight. The goal attempt was unsuccessful but Siddal had maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a fine performance under the lights.

Sanderson was awarded man of the match but Walker, McComb, Martin and Smith also excelled.