KINGSTONE PRESS NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
SATURDAY 20TH MAY 2017
OULTON RAIDERS 12 THORNHILL TROJANS 14
AT RAIDER PARK
A late try from winger Joss Ratcliffe enabled Thornhill Trojans to pull off a remarkable victory and shake off their recent poor league. This was a real backs to the wall performance from the Trojans given that they had 4 players sinbinned during this game meaning that they played nearly half the game with a one man disadvantage.
Although Joss Ratcliffe took all the plaudits at full time for his match winning try the game also saw top performance from man of the match James Craven and a solid showing from second rower George Stott. Both players were outstanding in very difficult circumstances.
A heavy downpour of rain prior to kick off cleared to ensure the game was played in very slippery conditions. This made the game very error strewn and play was very stop start without every really gaining any momentum. There were also one or two flare ups during the game as tempers boiled over in this close battle.
The first real flare up came after Thornhill had attacked the Oulton try line. Jake Wilson gave chase and his momentum saw him push an Oulton player over the pitch barrier. Players rushed in to let their opinions be known. Once order had been restored the referee sent Jake Wilson to the sin bin.
It was while Thornhill were down to 12 men that Oulton drew first blood. With their extra man advantage Oulton defied the slippery conditions to throw the ball around. Josh Lancaster ran onto the ball and crashed through some Thornhill tacklers to go over for the opening try. Kieran Walpole converted.
Oulton continued to test Thornhill and they looked to have the visitors on the rack when once again good handling of the ball resulted in a try. The ball was moved at speed until it reached Matt Stableford and he powered over for a try to the side of the posts. Kieran Walpole converted.
At this point Thornhill’s prospects didn’t look too good and Thornhill looked to be heading for another defeat. However, the spark they needed to give them some self-belief was provided by Liam Morley. Close to the Oulton try line Morley picked up the ball from the acting half back position, sold a brilliant dummy and nipped over for a try to the side of the posts. George Woodcock converted. This try was right on the stroke of half time and gave the Trojans a lift and hope for the second half.
However, just before the referee blew for half time the Trojans were once again reduced to 12 men. This was after Thornhill had been put on a team warning for ball stealing. The referee made an example of Jake Wilson and showed him his second yellow card of the half.
The Trojans came out for the second half looking like they meant business. Will Poaching made an early dash for the try line but was held up on his back.
Thornhill continued to test the Oulton defence and Josh Clough went close. The pressure was maintained and Thornhill’s persistence paid off when Will Poaching went over for an unconverted try.
But then tempers boiled over again and Oulton’s Blake Broadbent and Thornhill’s Sam Ratcliffe were sent to the sin bin for their involvement in the fracas.
Tempers continued to be fraught and at one point Thornhill’s Scott Dyson laid poleaxed on the ground as a result of an off the ball challenge.
The referee decided to intervene in a later challenge. This time Luke Carter was made an example of and was sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge. This meant that the game was now 11 Thornhill players against Oulton’s 12.
Thornhill failed to let this dampen their fighting spirit. Scott Dyson started a brilliant attacking move. The ball was worked to Will Gledhill who sent out the final pass to Joss Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe collected the ball on the wing to charge over in the corner for the match winning try. The goal was missed but it didn’t matter as Thornhill had pulled off a magnificent victory on their travels.

MATCH FACTS
Oulton Raiders 12
(Blue & Yellow)
1) Kieran Walpole 2 Goals
2) Dominoc Flanagan
3) Harry Kendell
4) Adrian Holdsworth
5) Harry Grayson
6) Blake Broadbent
7) Brad Cahill
8) Lawrence Dibb
9) Danny Mackintosh
10) Matt Stableford 1 Try
11) Josh Lancaster 1 Try
12) Hal Day
13) James Cruickshank
Subs:
14) Clayton Stott
15) Zak Schofield
16) Andy Williamson
17) Scott Holder
Thornhill Trojans 14
(Maroon & White)
1) James Craven
2) Joss Ratcliffe 1 Try
3) Will Gledhill
4) Andrew Lamber
5) George Woodcock
6) Scott Dyson
7) Liam Morley 1 Try
8) Lee Smith
9) Will Poaching 1 Try
10) Anthony Harris
11) George Stott
12) Jake Wilson
13) Josh Clough
Subs:
14) Luke Carter
15) Josh Lister
16) Sam Ratcliffe
17) Tom Gledhill
Sin Bin – Jake Wilson on 12 minutes for pushing player
Sin Bin – Jake Wilson on 39 minutes for ripping
Sin Bin – Blake Broadbent & Sam Ratcliffe on 59 minutes for fighting
Sin Bin – Like Carter or 67 minutes for shoulder charge
Man of the Match – Clayton Stott (Raiders) James Craven (Trojans )