ST JOSEPHS Sharks Under 17s are in the final of the Yorkshire Combination Youth League’s Top Four final after a 42-40 win over Methley Royals in extra time.
The normal 80 minutes was a ‘game of two halves’ with the Sharks dominating the first 40 minutes and taking a comfortable lead into the second half.
Methley had other ideas and by the time of the full-time whistle the scores were locked at 32-all.
The 20 minutes of extra time were tense with two tries for both sides and the only points separating the two teams being a missed conversion from Methley.
The victory means the Sharks will play Harehills in the final at Sharlston Rovers tomorrow (11am).
The Sharks Under 11 side had a tough derby meeting away to Meltham in the Yorkshire Junior League’s Division IV going down 10-4.
Playing uphill and into a strong wind the Sharks found it difficult to get out of their own half and fantastic defending from every player made sure that Meltham did not get the early try that they were looking for.
A break from man-of-the-match Nathan Cullen helped St Joes progress into the final third and from this advanced position AJ Wallace, Harvey Jubb and Ike Vangrove made good positive runs that put Meltham on the back foot.
When the gap did appear Cullen was on hand to run over the first try and, from a difficult angle and into the wind, Ethan Myers was unlucky with the conversion attempt.
Meltham then caused problems and despite good tackles from grafter award winner Asiece Lalli, Kai McDonald, Kai Jenkinson and Danny Fisher, the visitors could not prevent a try and goal to put the home side 6-4 up at half time.
In the second half the Sharks looked a lot stronger and they put pressure on Meltham.
Matt Dickinson, George Wightman and Cullen made ground but their best chance went when Will Greenan just failed to reach a Myers kick to the corner.
Rishy Dhillon earned the Magic Moment award for a characteristic run out of defence, but Meltham scored the final try of the match to ensure victory.
The St Josephs Under 14 Girls joined forces with Stanningley and Birstall to play Castleford.
The Sharks team were too slow out of the starting blocks and were two tries down inside 10 minutes, but some tough tackling and probing runs led to them being only four tries to two down at half-time.
The girls put on a much better display in the second half, with some telling runs by Kirsty and Eleanor.
Well-placed kicking by Eleanor put Castleford on the back foot leading to two tries from the Birstall girls, but the game ended five tries to four in Castleford’s favour.
