STANNINGLEY’S hopes of forcing their way into the National Conference League’s end-of-season Championship play-offs remain alive following Saturday’s 21-20 `golden point’ success at OULTON RAIDERS.
The top two in LEAGUE D will head into the national knock-out stages, and although Siddal and Hunslet Club Parkside appear to be nailed-on for those spots, Stanningley are certainly poised to take advantage of any slip-ups by either.
Oulton had levelled at 20-20 from twelve points down, courtesy of tries in the final quarter for Adrian Holdsworth and Harvey Stevens, with Archie Craggs landing both goals; Ryan Sandham and Danny Mackintosh had crossed earlier for the Raiders.
But Stanningley took the spoils with a drop-goal, five minutes into added time, for Harrison Davidson. Dion Henry, Ben Selby, Davidson and Sam Moorhouse had touched down for the visitors, with Tom Flannery firing two conversions.
The match had only continued, following an Achilles injury to appointed referee Ross Johnson, when Stanningley official Tom Bell stepped forward.
HUNSLET CLUB PARKSIDE eased to a 54-4 CROSS-LEAGUE win at Dewsbury Celtic, of League E, posting a Craig McShane hat-trick, two tries apiece for Connor Squires and Jason Wharaaitu and touchdowns to Ben Shulver and Michael Waite; Andy Hullock landed nine goals. Dale `Desi’ Cogan was red-carded midway through the second period for an alleged punch.
MILFORD, who are at the bottom of the table, impressed with their indomitable spirit at leaders Siddal, despite a 50-0 reverse; substitute Callum Clark earned particular plaudits.
The match at East Leeds, against Hunslet Warriors, was postponed, while DRIGHLINGTON remain at the foot of League F after losing 20-8 at Featherstone Lions, despite having gone in front with a John Gallagher try and – after slipping to an 8-4 deficit – levelling through Joe Sheldon.
Results
Saturday 21 August 2021
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE
LEAGUE D: East Leeds v Hunslet Warriors -pp; Oulton Raiders 20, Stanningley 21 (aet); Siddal 50, Milford 0.
LEAGUE F: Featherstone Lions 20, Drighlington 8.
CROSS-LEAGUE: Dewsbury Celtic (E) 4, Hunslet Club Parkside (D) 54.
Fixtures
Thursday 26 August 2021
LEAGUE D: East Leeds v Hunslet Club Parkside; Milford v Oulton Raiders.