St Joseph's have made the best possible start to their Pennine League Championship I campaign.
After a close home tussle with Odsal Sedbergh, coach Simon Hagger’s were able to celebrate a narrow 18-16 triumph.
Saints dominated for much of the opening half, but were just 8-4 ahead at the break, with tries from stand-off Sam Hendrick and centre Sam Cummins.
For 30 minutes of the second half the hapless Saints were the architects of their own downfall, allowing Odsal to edge 16-8 ahead with 10 minutes left.
But just when it looked as if the game was slipping away, full-back Paul Flaherty scored the first comeback try which was converted by winger Nick Mitchell to cut the deficit to two points.
And then in the 74th minute, captain and loose forward Joe Flaherty crossed the line for an unconverted try and Joe’s were able to celebrate a great fightback triumph.
Coach Hagger was happy with the two League points, but not the way they were won.
And with two weeks until their away clash with big town rivals Newsome Panthers, ball retention will clearly be a theme at training.
Men-of-the-match for St Joseph’s were Jason Oldfield, Joe Flaherty and Richard Aka.
There was also delight for Underbank Rangers, who remain unbeaten at the top of the Second Division table with a 24-18 triumph at Shaw Cross.
Although the hosts made the early running and led 8-0 midway through the opening period, Rangers slowly began to claw their way back and by half-time had levelled at 8-8.
They struck for the first time when Steve Woodcock powered over in the top corner and then Dominic Horn started a break away from inside his own 20 to for Marc Hirst to sprint away to score.
The second half started well for Underbank. but when Morgan Blakely failed to collect a ball close to the line and the home side regained the lead moments later, it looked like this might not be their day.
Fortunately, there was nothing to worry about.
On the hour, great work by Jamie Stringer enabled him to score and Ollie Moorhouse converted to make it 14-12.
Then four minutes later Steven Woodcock embarked on a tremendous run which man-of-the-match Tom Stringer finished off before Darren Southwell used an extended arm to place the ball down between the sticks for Moorhouse to make no mistake and extend the lead to 24-12.
Although Cross grabbed a late score, Rangers were able to hold on and celebrate a victory which was a credit to coach Richard Wilde and his team.
Meltham All Blacks made it two Division VI West triumphs out of two with a 16-0 home win over Illingworth A.
Victory was secured through tries from prop Ryan White, back-row forward Ben Moorhouse and substitute Andy Lambert, with goals added by Cameron Field and Josh Worrall.
