Slaithwaite Saracens 24
BIRKENSHAW welcomed the runaway Pennine League Division One leaders to East Bierley, looking to avenge their opening day defeat.
Despite the visitors having the best attack and defence in the league, the hosts started th
e stronger, enjoying sustained pressure on the Slaithwaite line and keeping them penned in their own quarter.
After 10 minutes stand-off Ross Gratton unlocked the defence as he received the ball from a scrum and ran across the defence before gliding through a gap to score. Matty Honeysett converted.
Both packs set about gaining the advantage with Birkenshaw’s Seth Lambert, Paul Bancroft and Scott Barron prominent in attack and defence.
Slaithwaite’s first points came against the run of play when their stand-off put in a teasing kick. Full-back Richard Rhodes went to hack the ball into touch only to slice it straight into the arms of a visiting centre, who couldn’t believe his luck when faced with an open run to the line.
The conversion levelled the scores before a second converted try, again from a speculative kick, saw the visitors lead 12-6.
Early in the second half Birkenshaw reduced the deficit when the ball was moved wide to centre Morton Robinson, who crashed over. Honeysett failed at goal.
Birkenshaw’s backs posed a constant threat, with Tom Duff, Mick Appleyard and Dave Scriven working hard, while forward Ben Cousen began to have an impact on the game. However, the visitors again stretched their lead with a third converted try.
A late rally saw Birkenshaw go close on several occasions only to be denied by a top defence and the game was put out of reach when Slaithwaite posted a fourth converted try.
Slaithwaite’s players and officials were very complimentary about Birkenshaw’s performance and admitted it had been their toughest encounter this season, something that both sides will be mindful of when they meet again tomorrow (Saturday) in the quarter-finals of the President’s Cup at Slaithwaite, kick-off 2pm.
