Salford City Roosters 18 Thornhill Trojans 18

Late penalty goal denies the Trojans a win.

KINGSTONE PRESS NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
SATURDAY 30TH JULY 2016
SALFORD CITY ROOSTERS 18 THORNHILL TROJANS 18
AT MOAT HALL SPORTS CENTRE
Despite a wonderful try from Jake Ratcliffe moments from full time, Thornhill Trojans were denied victory in this game due to the presence of Salford’s dependable goal kicker Bradley White. White was faultless in his goal kicking and his 3 penalty goals in the final 10 minutes of this game proved to be Thornhill’s undoing.
This was certainly a game for the purists with errors a plenty. As a result of the errors the game was very stop start and never really gained any momentum as a contest.
However, Thornhill did dominate for long periods of this game, particularly in the first half. Unfortunately the Trojans couldn’t convert this dominance into a match winning performance.
Man of the match Jake Ratcliffe drew post-match praise from the Salford coaching staff for the way he seemed to play above his weight. There was also stand out performances from Luke Haigh and substitute Jordan Clayton.
The true cost of this game has still to be established for the Trojans as they lost 3 players - Jake Wilson, Gareth Love and Andrew Bates during the course of the game. All 3 were unable to take further part in the game due to the extent of their injuries.
Thornhill started this game purposefully and scored a try more or less straight from the kick off. With play close to the corner, Luke Haigh forced his way over for an unconverted try despite a pile of defenders trying to pay him some attention.
Thornhill continued their early dominance with Scott Dyson at the thick things with some telling kicks and passes. It was one such pass from Dyson which created the second try of the game. Dyson did very well to off load the ball in the tackle and keep play alive. The pass from Dyson picked out Joss Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe ran out wide into space and over for an unconverted try.
Tempers then boiled over when Jake Wilson was subject to a high challenge. Wilson seemed to have an issue with Salford’s hooker Lee Sailsbury. Once order had been restored play went on with Jake Wilson looking for retribution in the form of a try. Wilson went on a rampaging run but the ball was spilled over the try line.
On the half hour mark Thornhill’s dominance of this game seemed to begin to wane as too many penalties were conceded. It was from one such penalty close to their own try line which Thornhill were slow to defend. A couple of weak tackle allowed Bradley White to break away and seemingly saunter over for a try which he converted himself.
So despite a near forty minutes of dominance, Thornhill turned around at half time with only a 2 points lead.
Thornhill looked to regain some control of this game as the second half got underway. Joss Ratcliffe was adamant he had scored in the corner but the officials ruled that he had gone into touch. Ratcliffe was up in arms about this decision but play went on.
Disaster then struck for the Trojans when a high kick from Salford on the last tackle wasn’t cleared. The ball bounced free. Andrew Muscat collected the ball and raced between the posts to score a try. Bradley White converted and Salford were now in the lead.
As the half wore on the game became increasing frustrating to watch for Thornhill’s large contingent of travelling supporters as time and time again the ball went to ground.
Tempers once again over flowed when Jake Wilson was subject to another high challenge. Despite Wilson been floored by the challenge and eventually having to retire from play, Thornhill only received a penalty with not even a caution handed to the Salford team.
Wilson was eventually joined on the side lines by the injured Gareth Love and Andrew Bates. Thornhill seemed to become a bit disjointed by the enforced changes.
But hope for Thornhill came in the form of Joss Ratcliffe. Jake Ratcliffe went on a well-timed run and sent out a brilliant pass which picked out Joss Ratcliffe. Joss Ratcliffe took the pass and plunged over for an unconverted try out wide to level the scores.
The game then appeared to be slipping through Thornhill’s fingers went 2 needless penalties were conceded. Bradley White kicked both goals.
Following the second of these penalty goals Salford knocked on from the restart. From the scrum down Thornhill pressed forward and a pass from Scott Dyson unlocked Salford. Jake Ratcliffe ran on to the pass well to go over for a try. Sam Ratcliffe converted and Thornhill looked to have salvaged the victory.
But in the final seconds of the game Salford were awarded a penalty. The sure footed Bradley White kicked the penalty goal to ensure the game ended in a draw.
MATCH FACTS
Salford City Roosters 18
(Navy, Red & White)
1) Christian Higgins
2) Tom Smith
3) Andrew Muscat 1 Try
4) George Kemp
5) Klaus Ndinga
6) Bradley White 1 Try & 5 Goals
7) Sam Seddon
8) Adam Taher
9) Lee Sailsbury
10) Marc Gilligan
11) Tom Pratt
12) Alex Edwards
13) Adam Walker
14) Jake Lynch
15) Mike Foster
16) John McAtee
Thornhill Trojans 18
(Maroon & White)
1) George Woodcock
2) Joss Ratcliffe 2 Tries
3) Ryan Fenton
4) Andrew Bates
5) Sam Ratcliffe 1 Goal
6) Liam Morley
7) Scott Dyson
8) Lee Smith
9) Luke Haigh Try
10) Anthony Harris
11) Anthony Broadhead
12) Jake Wilson
13) Jake Ratcliffe 1 Try
Subs:
14) Scott Carter
15) Jordan Clayton
16) Gareth Love
17) James McHendry
Referee – Lee MacDonald (Barrow)
Man of the Match – Adam Walker (Roosters) Jake Ratcliffe (Trojans)