Swifts so super

Jan 23 2008 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SUPER Lindley Swifts bounced back from last week’s defeat to Slaithwaite with a sparkling 28-10 triumph over Pennine League Division III leaders Bank Top Harriers in the second round of the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy.

Although Bank Top conceded home advantage because their pitch was waterlogged, they were still confident of securing victory.

But the gamble didn’t pay off as the flawless Swifts defence continually repelled the visitors’ relentless attack.

In attack, Lindley proved just as effective, with veteran prop Mark Burns and livewires Sam McCluskey and Ryan Whittaker linking up superbly with tryscorers Oliver Brodzinski, man-of-the-match Nick Staples, Jason Knapton and Nick Turner, who also added four goals.

Special mention also to Dave Valentine, who again worked tireless to earn second spot in the man-of-the-match stakes.

But there was defeat for St Joseph’s in the Premier Division of the Pennine League as they went down 14-6 at New Earswick All Blacks.

The visitors were hit by early injuries to Ben Lewis and Craig Lee, which impacted considerably on the rotation of substitutes as the game progressed.

St Joseph’s led 2-0 at the break with a Neil Barrett penalty after forwards Dave Simmonds, Adam Illingworth and Phil Simpson had laid a firm foundation.

New Earswick hit back at the start of the second half to lead 10-2 before Phil Drain scored a fine individual try to reduce the deficit to four points.

But despite constant pressure, St Joseph’s were unable to break through the determined home defence, with the All Blacks racing away to score a last-minute try to seal victory.

The man-of-the-match award went to Neil Barrett, closely followed by James Street and Phil Drain.

Moldgreen’s second string have pulled out of Division V.

They have informed Pennine League officials they will no longer be able to fulfil their fixtures and their results have been expunged from the League tables