Hensingham Lose NCL Opener

Horrendous conditions, which caused the game to be moved to St Benedicts RUFC at the last minute, meant both sides set off tentatively and with 50mph gusts down the Mirehouse valley neither side were too keen to be too expansive with the ball, on 10 minutes however it was Hensingham who broke the deadlock with young forward Aaron Turnbull showing why he is in the U19 England training squad, powering through the line from 10 metres out to give Hensingham a 4-0 lead, Jack Kellet, his U19 England team mate, added the extras. The sides traded sets, and penalties, and it took until the 25th minute for Batley to capitalise on a dropped ball which left Hensingham short on the blind side and an easy run in for Batley Centre Tom Ripley, the sides went into the break at 6-4 with Hensingham probably feeling like they should have made more of the prevailing wind. After the break Batley took full advantage of the conditions which were now in their favour, and capitalised on another dropped ball when experienced stand off Adam Bingham found strong running 2nd row Aaron James who broke the line to take the score to 6-8, there was some ferocious defence from both sides on a day where the game was never going to be free flowing and their was little opportunity for either side until the 74th minute when Hensingham, who were camped on the Batley line, sent out a pass, which looked certain to put them in for a try, was plucked out of the air by the batley centre who took his team into the Hensingham half where a stray pass confused both attack and defence and was pounced on by Adam Bingham to round off the game 6-12

It was a day for the forwards and two who battled, hard but fair all day were Prop forwards Gavin Maudling (Hensingham) and Gav Davis (Batley) who were awarded their respective man of the matches