Stanningley welcomed 5th place Cumbrian outfit Askam to the Arthur Miller on a gorgeous summer day. Stanningley were missing in form: full back Jack Smith, half Callum Smithson, back row Jack Sykes and utility forward Luke Shillito. However, stalwarts Chris Holder and Sean Cooper made their return.

Stanningley started brighter with completed sets and some sturn defence. Top scorer Ben Selby opened the scoring. Niall Murphy closed the set with a cross field kick for Selby to outleap the opposition winger, gather and cross the white line. Liam Copland with the extras 6-0.
Askam’s reply came from Sam Dowsett burrowing over from 2m with a classic dummy half try, Kristian Tyson with the conversion 6-6.
Stann extended their lead on 16min once again from a kick, this time Murphy was tied up at the play of the ball. Centre Dean Parker putting up a challenging spiral bomb to which Taylor Carter fumbled presenting Copland with a walk in try and conversion 12-6.
An error on the restart after a wicked bounce gifted Askam possession in Stanningley’s half. The Sandrats took advantage of the field position. Aggressive centre Mark Tyson put Taylor Carter in the corner, brother Kristian Tyson missed making it 14-10.
A great carry from the big man, Stephen Welton got the black and whites rolling down the field. Askam gave away a penalty in-front which league top points scorer Copland calmly slotted over to make it 14-10.
Nial Murphy turned provider again after fancy footwork put him in the open, standing and offloading on the fullback to find stand in full back Jordan Walker who finished well. Copland’s extras brought it to 20-10 at half time.

Askam started the second half stronger.
Centre Tyson again finding himself in the open with a great carry to then find brother Kristian who finished well under the sticks. 20-16.
Stanningley looked to have recovered with a restricting defensive set. Scrum half Adam Jackson with a sublime 40-10 put Askam back in control. From the tap restart an early shift gave K Tyson extra space where he showed a great turn of pace to cross and add the extras 20-22.
Finally gaining a share of the field position a last tackle short side chip over from hooker Barcoe found Ry Taylor who returned to Barcoe to dot down. Copland slotted from wide right and took the score to 26-22.
Stanningley now recovered. Strong work from diminutive figure Adam Benn breaking and finishing on the short side. Coplan maintained his 100% record to take scores to 32-22.
Askam however weren’t finished and they scored with a chip over of their own, gathered and well finished by Mark Tyson, brother Kristian unable to add from wide right 32-26.
From the restart Askam immediately spread putting Jordan Jones in the clear. A stray finger from scambling defence gave a nasty looking eye injury. Winger Ben Selby snubbed a strong attack with an attempted intercept, upset with the apparent knock on he kicked the ball away putting Stann down to 12, Askam 10m out 2min remaining! Unfortunately 80min prop Liam Saunders coughed up the ball and Stanningley closed out the game.

Next up sees the boys away to fellow pace setters Dewsbury Moor in what could be a NCL Division 2 decider!