Ready for battle!

Nov 7 2007 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE Welfare Ground is definitely the place to be this Saturday.

That’s when Emley Moor go head-to-head with big rivals Newsome Panthers in a mouth-watering Pennine League Second Division top-of-the-table derby clash (2.00).

The Huddersfield duo are locked at the top, with six wins and a draw from their opening eight League fixtures, with Moor ahead on points difference.

And with the form both sides are in right now, predicting an outcome is impossible, particularly with the way the teams warmed up last weekend.

Moor held on to top spot after a 30-6 victory over Thornhill Trojans A, while the Panthers kept up the pressure with an even more emphatic 48-4 win over Wyke.

The foundations for Emley’s win were laid in the opening half as they opened up a 22-0 interval lead.

An Andy Tillotson penalty set the ball rolling before Mike Lang raced over for the opening try.

And before half-time Dave Pawson had scored twice and Glen Holdsworth crossed for the try of the contest, with Tillotson landing the goals to put coach Pete Southwell’s side in complete control.

Thornhill hit back with a converted try at the start of the second half.

But a second Holdsworth try and two Tillotson goals sealed the victory in which fit-again Ben Adamson, Simon Adamski and Mick Hanmer led the way.

And it was even easier for Newsome, who also did much of the damage in the opening period.

By the break, the home side had opened up a solid 22-4 advantage.

Ben Feehan once again set the Panthers on the way with two tries, converted by Ross Studholme.

Then Dan Nelmes and James Wallace crossed for scores as Newsome turned the screw.

And in the second half, there were further tries for Feehan (two), Martin Robinson, Wallace and Simon Burkinshaw, while Andy Brick and Lee McAfferty were outstanding in defence.