SIDDAL IMPRESS AGAIN

Siddal's strong first half performance was the key to this victory as four converted tries took the home side to a 24-6 half time lead which was always going to prove too much for Wath Brow to overcome.

Siddal's new back line looked threatening from the kick off as halfback partners Liam Coe and Shaun Garrod sprayed the ball around. The opening try came on 11 minutes. The ball was transferred to Siddal's left and centre Chester Butler almost got over but was held up over the line. On the next play Garrod chose to go down the short side and catching the defence out he was able to slip a short pass to left wing Gareth Blackburn who tip toed down the touchline to score the try. Coe began a faultless kicking performance with a fine conversion. Wath Brow's effort was led by fullback Jamie Devine who made a fine 50 yard break but was hauled down, and stand off Karl Dixon but it was Siddal who scored again on 21 minutes through impressive fullback Freddie Walker. After hooker Craig Sanderson had driven deep into Wath Brow territory down the middle of the pitch Coe brought loose forward Gareth English back on the inside and English supplied a sublime pass to the supporting Walker who raced over under the posts. Coe added the goal.

Siddal were on fire. On 27 minutes second row Billy Hammond added a third try after fine work by substitute debutant Jordan Baldwin who caught the Wath Brow markers napping at a play the ball and Hammond followed his break to collect his offload to score by the posts. Coe again had a simple conversion. The visitors were staring down the barrel and it got worse for them after 33 minutes when substitute Ross White went over for Siddal's fourth try following a fine break from centre Gavin Stead. Coe banged over his fourth goal for a 24-0 lead. On the stroke of half time Wath Brow got a lifeline with a try out wide to left wing Gregg Dawson. Scott Pink banged over a great touchline conversion to give the Cumbrians a bit of hope as the first half ended.

Wath Brow needed to score first in the second half if they were to have any chance of hauling in Siddal but the result was decided after 46 minutes when Walker broke down the middle of the pitch to run 40 yards and score a great individual try by the posts. Coe converted. Wath Brow hit back straight away with a somewhat fortunate try for centre Pink after a loose ball was hacked on and the luck of the bounce favoured Pink but the same player couldn't add the goal.

The game became a little scrappy in the last third with Siddal generally pressing for further scores. Tom Garratt got over the line but couldn't get the ball down and Siddal forced Wath Brow to drop out on a couple of occasions. Siddal completed the scoring after Coe fired a great 40-20 on the hour mark and two plays later Baldwin sneaked over unopposed from dummy half. Coe completed a perfect six conversions.

Siddal thoroughly deserved their win and now look to be finding their form. Freddie Walker was outstanding at fullback, Butler and Hammond ran strongly and Gareth English continued his impressive early season form. Young debutant Baldwin had a promising half hour. Wath Brow need some of their injured players back to turn their season around.