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Rugby League: Siddal too hot for derby foes
Elland 6 - Siddal A 30 (Fee Halifax Cup) SIDDAL powered into the quarter finals in virtually the only outdoor amateur game to beat the icy blast in Calderdale on Saturday.
A visiting side containing six players from their back-to-back National Conference title-winning seasons was too strong for a young Elland side from a division lower.
Richard Pearson was unstoppable throughout and John Birt was also hugely impressive for the Chevinedge men while Shaun Blackburn converted all five tries.
Siddal made their intentions clear from the start with a big chase from the kick off and some tough tackling.
It took them only four minutes to register their first points, Pearson running straight over opposing centre Oliver Fairbank on a 30-yard break. He drew the cover and sent winger Blackburn over in the corner.
A towering Chris Brooke 'bomb' forced Elland to drop out and strong running props Richard Casanove and Ian Crawshaw paved the way for Birt to go close from acting half-back.
The hosts held out until the 18th minute when Pearson and Blackburn combined in almost a carbon copy of the first try as the lead was increased to 12-0.
Five minutes later Elland's line was breached again. Brooke sent Gareth Hooson through a gap and he beat two men before Crawshaw dived in under the posts.
Brooke and Sean McCormack were kicking well to add to Elland's problems and on 29 minutes another burst by Pearson resulted in Alan Ormondroyd crossing wide out. Blackburn added another touchline conversion.
Elland were playing for pride at 24-0 down going into the second half but they showed plenty of that and got on the scoresheet five minutes after the restart.
Fullback Steve Brocklehurst, their best player, made a break and sent Gaz Webb over, Dean Bishop adding the goal.
Siddal almost extended their lead three minutes later but the cover defence halted Birt's 60 yard burst.
With Birt, Mick Shaw and Johnny Lawless at dummy half and the entire Siddal team hungry for the ball Elland did remarkably well to limit the visitors to one more try.
Shaw scored it, scampering over from 20 yards, and Sam Garnett and Tom Gaffney were held up just short in the closing minutes.
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Weather for Halifax
Friday 10 February 2012
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Light snow
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