Jack Smith returned at full back seeing Jordan Walker slot back into left centre. In form loose forward Adam Benn was unavailable due to Snow White’s wedding, meaning a return for Jack Sykes. The reshuffle meant 18 year old centre Ryan Taylor missed out.

Stanningley received the kick off but gave a penalty for obstruction on the 2nd carry of the game. Moor capitalised on the unexpected possession 20m out; a barnstorming right side carry from Tom Harrington skittling 3 defenders to cross for the first score, Ineson adding the extras 6-0.

Both teams exchanged sets and errors over the next 10 min. Stanningley ground back field position and found themselves with a set starting in the opposition’s 20. Top try scorer Selby out-jumped Sam Thornton to gather and ground Niall Murphy’s kick, Copland unsuccessful 6-4.

Stanningley maintained momentum and soon were over again. Copland this time the beneficiary of a Murphy crossfield kick, Copland converting 6-10.

Interchange forwards Ruan and Yarrow maintained Stanningley’s strong start down the middle. Stanningley looked dangerous and when big fella Stephen Welton crashed over Stanningley had taken the game by the scruff of the neck. Copland added the extras 6-16.

Moor’s indiscipline led to a man in the sin bin. Ineson guilty of interfering with Copland on the attempted 20m restart earning himself 10min on the sideline. Stann capitalised on this with some fast rucks getting them downfield. A lazy retreat was exposed by interchange hooker Cooper and the resulting penalty was calmly slotted over by Copland 6-18. Half Time.

Stanningley started where they left off with stern defence and strong carries but were unable to find the killer blow.

After a long period with no scores Moor broke the deadlock. Fast rucks and strong carries from Harrington, Ineson and Adams rolled the Maroons down field. Moor MoM Archie Bruce darting out and finding George Croisdale down a short side. The centre showed classy footwork to put Sam Thornton away and Moor back in the game. Ineson unsuccessful 10-18.

Moor made an error on kick off but Stanningley were unable to convert the field position. Next to score were Stanningley Copland again added 2 points from a penalty to take the scores to 10-20

Moor looking to be back in the contest lost their discipline. 17 year old winger, Selby carried strong to Harrington who did the hard work with a strong tackle. He then gave an infringement penalty, dissent penalty, yellow card, red card. Silly play from the big back rower.

Winger, Anthony Boardman was next to receive a yellow for dissent. Finally, after a late penalty in front of the Moor sticks Bradley Adams received a straight red for berating the match official. Despite the distraction Copland added the extras to close scoring and the game 10-22.

There’s no NCL fixture this weekend for Stanningley but the second team travel to Beverley in the Yorkshire men’s League. Next up in the conference is Leigh East in another must win fixture. Stanningley won 12-14 away in very different playing conditions. Coaches Lilley and Golding will be hoping for another strong performance to edge towards promotion.

Full album found here courtesy of Onion Bag.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/onionbag/albums/72157698057479425/