Saracens joy

Jan 30 2008 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SLAITHWAITE Saracens have reached the Holliday Cup final.

They turned on the style to secure a stunning 31-12 triumph at fellow Pennine League Third Division side Lindley Swifts to set up an Easter Monday showdown with either St Joseph’s or Moldgreen, whose weekend tie was postponed.

Premier Division St Joseph’s will be favourite to win their semi-final showdown over the club that beat them in last year’s final, and they would then be favourites to beat Slaithwaite in the big Lockwood Park encounter.

But if the in-form Saracens can re-produce the form they showed to clip the Swifts’ wings once again, their final opponents won’t be able to take anything for granted.

Slaithwaite’s first-half form, in particular, was outstanding, and by half-time they had already taken a firm grip on the contest as they opened up an 18-0 lead down the slope.

Within 10 minutes they had taken the lead when Darren Hawkyard intercepted deep in his own half and ran 50m before passing to the ever-alert Lee Mason to score by the posts.

Dave Holmes converted and Slaithwaite had a lead they were never to lose.

Six minutes later they were over again as some slick handling gave Mason the chance to kick-through for Mick Bostock to touch down for Holmes to land a second goal.

Then on the half-hour Bostock grabbed a second after capitalising on some more excellent approach play.

And with Holmes making it three goals out of three, the visitors went into the break in complete control.

With the advantage of the slope in the second half, Lindley looked far more lively and quickly opened their account when James Burns burst through to score, but five minutes later Holmes crossed and converted to steady the ship.

Although the Swifts scored two further tries through Ryan Whitaker and Billy Taylor, the hosts were no match for the Saracens as Bostock completed his hat trick.

Holmes then converted again and landed a drop goal to round off an excellent victory.