Amateur RL: Slaithwaite Saracens beat Ackworth Jaguars tighten grip on Pennine League First Division title

SLAITHWAITE Saracens took another huge step towards claiming the Pennine League Division I crown with a 40-12 home triumph over promotion rivals Ackworth Jaguars.

The home side were without five first-team regulars, but still beat the Jaguars with ease to underline the commitment the replacements show when they are handed their chance.

Only smart defence from Richard Flooks and David Holmes prevented Ackworth from taking the lead.

But after 10 minutes Saracens hit the front to take a lead they were never to lose as Simon Burkenshaw raced over and Danny Garside converted.

The visitors were already struggling to handle their hosts’ slick play and tries followed at regular intervals through Darren Hawkyard and Flooks (twice), with Garside adding two of the goals, before Ackworth opened their account to make it 22-6 at the break.

Five minutes after the restart new signing Shaun Mitchell grabbed his first try in Slaithwaite colours to ensure normal service was resumed and Garside again converted.

The never-say-die Jaguars added another try to prove they were far from finished, but that just acted as another wake-up call, with Joe Fitzpatrick powering his way through and handed on to Darren Hawkyard to finish off.

Then, with 10 minutes remaining, powerhouse Matt Lodge charged over to complete the scoring.

There was also success for Emley Moor, thanks to a hard-fought 26-10 triumph at Illingworth.

There was little to separate the sides in the opening half, with the hosts holding a narrow 4-0 advantage.

But after the break, the visitors turned the screw to notch up an impressive win.

Within minutes of the restart Daniel Bedford pounced on a loose ball to touch down and Karl Adamski added the conversion to give Moor the lead for the first time.

Illingworth did briefly regain the lead, but from the moment Jason Southwell crashed over from a planned move to level the scores at 10-10, it was obvious the tide had well and truly turned.

Dave Pawson, making his return following a shoulder injury, quickly followed up to add Moor’s third try and Adamski converted before Oliver Davidson crossed in the corner to give the visitors a 10-point cushion.

Then, in injury time, Richard Sharp scored his side’s fifth try, converted by Michael Lang, to seal a win in which Simon Adamski, Daz Southwell, Alex Rollins and Tom Beaumont shone.