Young Siddal move into next round of National Cup
A YOUNG Siddal side, including eight teenagers, overcame a 0-12 deficit after just 12 minutes to turn the game around to beat Orrell St James 18-12 in the BARLA National Cup after a stirring second half comeback at Chevinedge.
The visitors from the North West League started very brightly and showed their ability after only two minutes when speedy full back Jack McHugh joined the line from a scrum and burst through the home defence to touch down. Stand off David Kennedy made no mistake with the conversion as the visitors led 0-6.
That lead was doubled after 12 minutes. Strong forward play from Orrell took the visitors out of defence.
Hooker Thomas Whittle threw an outrageous dummy that Siddal’s defence took. With an overlap created, Orrell took the opportunity to finish the move clinically with the try being scored by centre Sam Baggeley.
Kennedy’s conversion took the scores to 0-12.
Orrell were playing some great rugby and were making very few errors. Half backs Kennedy and Joe Prior were leading their side around the pitch.
The visitors forced back-toback drops outs from under the posts as they continued to dominate possession and territory, but Siddal’s defence started to improve, led by 16 year old Ethan Lewis who played with a maturity beyond his years.
The half drew to a close with no further scoring.
Coaches Chris Brooke and Paul Long gave a stirring half time talk to their side and they came out in determined fashion for the second period.
Siddal were back in the game after 46 minutes when centre Andy Elliott finished a move involving Eddie Ainley and full back Callum Holroyd.
James Dodd’s conversion narrowed the deficit to 6-12.
Orrell continued to look dangerous and thought they had scored again after 56 minutes, only for the try to be ruled out for a forward pass.
That spurred Siddal on and with skipper Byron Smith leading the charge, Siddal improved as the second half progressed. Jake Turner was finding gaps and Holroyd was gaining valuable yards with strong runs out of defence.
The scores were level after 67 minutes when centre Dan May charged down an attempted last tackle kick from Orrell and made no mistake charging to the line for a try converted again by the ever-reliable Dodd.
With just three minutes left, Siddal got their noses in front.
A bulldozing run from Smith took play down field from where a trademark Turner dummy fed second rower Josh
Milnes who offloaded to his second row partner Brandon Tallis to dive over the line. Dodd again added the conversion for an 1812 scoreline.
Orrell threw the ball about as they searched for a try to take the game into extra time, but Siddal held firm to go into the hat for the next round.
ONLINE: www.halifaxcourier. co.uk