Siddal move nearer play-off final

It was a second successive narrow victory at Reactiv Park for Gareth Greenwood’s men, who had edged past Leigh Miners Rangers by 30-28 in their play-offs opener seven days earlier.

In a fluctuating contest yesterday, Siddal trailed 6-0, went 10-6 up and fell behind 16-10 before tries from Lee Greenwood and Craig Sanderson plus a Sanderson goal saw them through.

West Hull were beaten 22-8 at home by Wath Brow Hornets to set up next weekend’s contest, which revives memories of last season.

Wests went on to lift the trophy, having previously lost to Siddal, who had refused to return to Humberside for a replay following a refereeing error.

Yesterday’s second round elimination tie followed a minute’s silence in memory of ex-Siddal player Martin Hendrick.

Danny Williams had an early try ruled out for Siddal due to a forward pass in back play and the visitors from Castleford were first to register points courtesy of Nathan Fozzard, who dived over off an inside pass.

Danny Rowse converted to make it 0-6 after 11 minutes.

Siddal hit back with some intense pressure. Full back Scott Caley made a superb break and the supporting Ross White evaded the final defenders to score. Sanderson converted.

Caley followed up with a try of his own wide out following good work from Chester Butler. The conversion attempt hit an upright.

Lock Lane replied from the restart when the ball was ripped one-on-one by Lane’s Jimmy Cryer, who crossed the whitewash. Rowse’s conversion made it 10-12 at half time.

Siddal had a second try chalked off, controversially, when the impressive Iain Davies was ruled to have grounded the ball on the foot of an opponent.

Soon after Cryer broke free and was flying down the wing, looking certain to score, until second rower Williams came from the far side of the pitch to run him down.

Cryer did get over the whitewash 12 minutes later in the corner and although Rowse missed the extras, Siddal trailed by six points entering the final quarter.

Two tries in four minutes did the trick for the home side. Lee Greenwood, the ex-Halifax winger, steamed through the Lock Lane defence to cross wide out.

Man of the match Sanderson then muscled his way through the middle and raced away to score, adding the conversion.

Some doughty Siddal defence kept out Lane in the final 15 minutes.

Brighouse Rangers and Halifax Irish won yesterday’s derby games in the Pennine League’s Championship division.

Leaders Brighouse won 26-8 away to Illingworth at Mason Green, romping 20-0 ahead after an hour.

Tries from Lee Buckley, Wayne Jowett, a Mark Horne interception and Reece Spurr, plus two Gary Coulter goals, put the visitors in charge.

Jack Bradbury pulled back four points but a close range effort from Sam Crowther, converted by Coulter, stretched Brighouse’s lead before Bradbury had the last word for Illingworth.

Irish went second, above Illingworth, with a 44-4 win away to King Cross Park, who have lost their first five league games this season.