Wakefield ARL Annual Sevens Competition
Sponsored by Pennine Trophies – Heckmondwike
At Eastmoor ARLFC, Sunday 17th August 2008
The annual sevens competition took place last Sunday with 6 teams from the district competing for the Mick Lindop Sevens trophy. With the competition moving from it's usual venue of the Claence Park Arena, to the King George V Playing fields where it was superbly hosted by Eastmoor Dragons.
The teams were divided into 2 groups of 3 for the round stages.
In group one Sharlston topped the table with 2 wins over both Eastmoor Dragons and Stanley Rangers, Eastmoor took the second spot and entry into the playoff stages with a close 10-4 victory over Stanley.
In group two Crigglestone All Blacks headed the standings with 2 wins over Kettlethorpe and Westgate, Kettlethorpe took passage through to the semi final stage with a 22-4 victory over Westgate.
The first semi final saw Sharlston Rovers take a place in the Final with a 28-4 victory over Kettlethorpe and Crigglestone also took an unopposed route to the final beating hosts Eastmoor Dragons 24-4.
The 2 beaten semi finalists Kettlethorpe and Eastmoor played off for the Jack Thompson Shield with Kettlethorpe making easy work of the ‘moor, 44-18.
The Mick Lindop trophy final between Sharlston Rovers and Crigglestone All Blacks was a much closer affair, going into the interval poised closely at 12-14 in favour of the All Blacks.
Geoff Hick crossed and James Byrom added a try and a goal for the Rovers cause only to be bettered by tries from Kevin Marson, Adam Gee and Cyle Johnson and a goal for Tommy Malyan.
Crigglestone pulled away in the second half with 3 Malyan converted tries for Mick Hill and Aaron Henry with Kevin Marson adding a brace to complete his hat trick to seal the 34-16 victory, Rovers could only muster a second try for Hick in reply.
The presentation crowned Crigglestone the Annual champions with Kettlethorpe's Iain Wilson picking up the "Pennine Trophies" player of the tournament and paid thanks to match official Phil Boot, who put in a sterling effort, to referee all 10 games single-handedly.