Valleys find form to take top three
RUGBY LEAGUE: Valleys have shrugged off a tough month to secure a second chance in this weekend’s TRL Premiership finals series. The Roosters came into Pittsworth needing to win by 27 points or more to earn a topthree berth, and did so with a comprehensive 52-4 win over the Danes. For Valleys it was the performance they needed approaching the semi-finals, ending a run of three-straight losses, and sending out a warning to the other four teams that they are still around. Player-coach Brett Seymour was impressed with the defensive effort of his side, bouncing back from leaking 78 points over the past three weeks to just one try last night. “We had a bit to play for and it was good we could aim up,” Seymour said.
“We defended a lot better. Pittsworth obviously weren’t at their best, but we limited their chances, and are happy with the defensive side of things.
“Early in the game we scored a couple of tries, then turned over a bit of ball. We managed to hold our nerve though and turn them away, before getting the upper hand again.”
The club has had some well documented battles with injuries in recent times, but Seymour said it was good to welcome back a key player.
“Kalemb Hart returned and got through 60 minutes,” he said.
“He wasn’t at his flying best, but we had a chance to rest him.
“We’ve got Steve Rodgers to look at for next week. Liam Capewell hurt his knee so we will assess that, and Nick Sargent will be looked at as well.
“We’ve been in the wars, but a lot of teams go through it.
“The big loss for us is Jason Sharpe. He’s been exceptional for us, but it gives others the chance to step up and fill the void.”
Valleys controlled the contest from the outset, with tries to Matt Hawkins, Nathan Bowering, Dylan Chown and Hugh Sedger giving the visitors a dominant 24-0 halftime lead.
They maintained the rage throughout the second stanza, piling on another five tries, including a hat-trick to Hawkins, to round out the impressive victory ahead of the second phase of the competition.