SLAITHWAITE SARACENS’ dream of reaching the Pennine League’s showpiece final is over.
The Premier Division side went into their President’s Cup home semi-final clash against Championship Division Halifax Irish as favourites to triumph.
But when it came to the crunch, they unfortunately came up short as they slumped to a bitterly disappointing 32-12 defeat.
And it certainly wasn’t a case of the “the luck of the Irish”.
This was something the Halifax team didn’t need as they won by playing basic rugby and producing solid defence.
They scored their first try after 15 minutes when their full-back linked up in the attack to score in the corner and, with a successful conversion, they were on their way.
But five minutes later the scores were level with a Damian Kenchington try, which was goaled by David Holmes.
Unfortunately, another converted try by the Irish just before half-time put them back in front.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, Chris Clark went over and again Holmes landed the conversion to level the scores.
But in the final 20 minutes the visitors ran in a further three converted tries and a penalty to gain a well-deserved win.
That summed up a demoralising finale for one of the town’s leading clubs, although it was mirrored by fellow Huddersfield Premier Division club St Joseph’s, who had to concede a 30-0 walk-over win to title-chasing Queen’s.
There were, however, a few bright moments from several other Huddersfield clubs.
In Division I, Newsome Panthers maintained their promotion challenge with a hard-fought 36-32 home triumph over mid-table Birkenshaw.
And Division III leaders Underbank kept on course for the title with a 36-22 triumph at Greetland All Rounders.
