Woolston Rovers turned in a dazzling attacking display to claim a hard-earned victory over high-flying Barrow Island in a real end-to-end thriller in the National Conference League Division Two at the Limestone Construction Field, Monks Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.

Rovers opened the scoring after nine minutes when winger Kieran Jones, on his return to the club following a stint playing in France, managed to twist in the tackle and score on the left. Scrum half Chris Forster converted but then five minutes later Island hit back when a long ball out wide found full back Jake Stockdale who put centre Adam Ford over in the right corner.

Midway through the half Rovers substitute Sam wood was held just short and from the play the ball hooker Adam Files wet from dummy half and forced his way over. Forster converted but then on the half hour mark Rovers fumbled a kick and Island substitute Sam Jones kicked ahead and winger Aidan Wright was quickest to react and grounded the ball in the right corner. Stand off Adam Jackson added the touchline conversion to make the half time score 12-10 in Rovers favour.

Four minutes into the second half a superb spiral kick from Rovers stand off Theo Holt was allowed to bounce and substitute Callum Moore pounced to score. Forster converted and three minutes later nice play between Rovers prop forward Harry Files and loose forward Ryan Brown got their side to the Island line and a quick play the ball saw A Files go once again from dummy half and spin in the tackle before scoring. Forster added the conversion.

The visitors were in no mood to lie down and they came roaring back with tries either side of the hour; the first came when they spread the ball down the left side and second row Dan wright scored in the corner and that was soon followed by a try from Stockdale who collected a chip over to score. Jackson landed both conversions to narrow the deficit to just two points.

Rovers edged further ahead once again when a strong drive by H Files was rewarded as A Files again scooted from dummy half to complete a fine hat trick. Forster converted and then with a minute remaining A Files turned provider as his run from dummy half saw him put brother H Files through a gap to score. Forster completed a perfect afternoon with the built with his seventh conversion to make the final score 42-28 to Rovers.

The Man of the Match was awarded to Rovers second row Paul Alcock. He was very well supported by hooker Adam Files and prop froward Wez Lawton.

After the game Rovers Head of rugby Mal Holt said, “We bounced back from the disappointment of last week’s defeat to claim a hard-fought win against a very good Barrow side. The game was in the balance right upto the last few minutes when we managed to score two late tries to put the game to bed. We were very good in attack and threw good shape at the visitors all through the game but defensively we were patchy and gave away too many silly penalties which invited pressure from Barrow that made parts of the game uncomfortable for ourselves. Thankfully we had that extra bit of composure at the end that saw us home and gave us two vital league points.”

ROVERS

Morgan Williams, Karlton Bates, Tom Byrne, Kieran Moore, Kieran Jones, Theo Holt, Chris Forster, Harry Files, Adam Files, Wez Lawton, Paul Alcock, Ryan Hickman, Ryan Brown.

Subs: Callum Moore, Sam Wood, Alex Smith, Jay-Jay Catterall.

Tries
Jones (9 mins), A Files (20, 47, 72), C Moore (44), Wood (67), H Files (79).

Goals
Forster 7

ISLAND

Jake stockdale, Aidan Wright, Adam Ford, Nathan Sneesby, Jonathan Walsh, Adam Jackson, Brandon Corrie, Jack Sutherland, Shane Sanderson, Joe Spencely, Dan Wright, Ben Garner, Will Hadwen.

Subs: Sam Jones, Jack Newby, Ali McEwen, Tyler McPoland.

Tries
Ford (14 mins), A Wright (30), D Wright (57), Stockdale (63), Jones (69).

Goals
Jackson 4

Referee: Jake Butcher.