Wyke 44
WYKE were confident of maintaining their 100 per cent record in Pennine Division Four, although due to Cup action they had only played two League games.
They were shocked as Drighlington scored after only five minutes but the home s
ide were not allowed to score again in the half.
Wyke’s first try came from James Barraclough. The Wyke forwards easily overpowered the Drighlington pack and second rower Paul Coates gave a bullet pass to Barraclough, who crashed over. Coates converted.
Prop James Wild took the ball 80 yards before being tackled. He played the ball and then took in another ball to crash over for a well-earned try. Coates converted.
Winger Paul Woodhead was on the spot to score a classic winger’s try in the corner after good hands. There was no goal.
Following a kick through, loose forward Simon Owen dived for the ball and missed completely. Luckily, stand-off Craig Hillam was there to save his embarrassment and touched down. Coates converted.
During the first half, full-back Mark Frith made 16 tackles which left Drighlington with few options. If they broke, the full-back felled them, and he regularly took the ball in to earn man of the match.
Giant prop Andy Naylor drove well and was almost unstoppable and was by far the most influential prop, often gaining the hard yards and Wyke led 22-6 at half-time.
In the second half Drighlington posted two quick tries to narrow the score to 14-22 but Wyke got themselves together and ensured they did not score again.
Alan Binns came on in the second half and with his first touch scored as he galloped through and outpaced the cover. Woodhead popped up again for a carbon copy of his first try and Coates crossed after a good drive from Barraclough.
Woodhead completed his hat-trick with another try in the corner to seal an outstanding day for the youngster. Mick Buttrick and Naylor were second and third to Frith in the match awards.
Wyke A 10
Sportsman 28
Wyke A, still with a rather weakened team, saw some good driving from props Garry Smith and the formidable Craig Scott along with the return from injury of 21-stone substitute prop Jason Whomack.
Wyke drew first blood with a try to stand-off Paul Phillips. Second rower Mick Silver produced a storming run, offloaded to loose forward Andrew Patchett and scrum-half Gareth Young linked and drew the full-back to send in Phillips. Second rower Micky Wormald converted.
Sportsman scored a converted try and it was 6-6 at half-time.
Wyke tired in the second half and the visitors took control, collecting four tries, converting three.
Wyke managed another try with Patchett kicking through and speedy wingman Jason Doherty pounced for an unconverted score.
Hooker, Tony Godfrey, was outstanding at dummy half with strong driving from Scott, centre Adrian Hird, at a mere 45 years of age and Silver. Whomack made his presence felt and Doherty rang strongly.
