Pilkington Recs scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to beat a brave Stanningley side in the 1st round of the Challenge Cup at a freezing Arthur Miller Stadium.

The game started off fairly even with both sides exchanging goal line dropouts within the first 10 minutes.

Pilkington broke the deadlock as some swift passing caused an overlap which put winger Kyran Knapper in at the corner.

Stanningley replied with a try as they used the short side to squeeze Martin McNiven in for a try.

The black and whites then started to get on top thanks to the superb kicking game of Callum Smithson. A charge down then put Stanningley in a promising position which they took advantage of as Sean Cooper’s kick hit the post and fell into the arms of Curtis Sidebottom who scored underneath the posts.

The impressive Pilkington centre Mark Ashton produced a massive hand off on his opposition number which created space for him to score. They could not even the score as they missed their conversion once again.
Stanningley then scored the try of the game on the stroke of half time as quick thinking Smithson chipped over the top of the Pilkington defence and some nice hands allowed Chris Holder the score meaning that the NCL Division 2 side had a surprise but well deserved 16-8 lead over the Premier Division side.

Back to back tries meant that Stanningley’s lead didn’t last long as Pilks started the second half strongly. Firstly Pilkington punished an early mistake as Mark Briody bundled over. Then Mark Ashton once again caused trouble as his break set up scrum-half Danny Lynch to take the lead.

Stanningley struggled to complete sets and gain field position. A superb cut out pass found Ashton for his second try of the game.

Pilkington gained a 12 point advantage as big bearded prop Jamie Smith used his strength to crash over after they forced a goal line drop out to make the score 28-16.

Just as Pilkington looked to be running away with it Stanningley tightened up their defence in the last 15 minutes to prevent Pilkington scoring again.

Despite the defeat Stanningley coach Dean Buckler was proud of his team’s first half performance and believed it put them in good stead for their upcoming season which starts on 12th March away to Hunslet Parkside

Sam Taylor