Illingworth take the spoils after come-from-behind success at Almondbury
ILLINGWORTH EVENTUALLY took the points with a hardfought 25-19 win at Almondbury.
The hosts had a perfect start to the game as their kick off was spilled by the opposition and prop Callum Taylor crashed over from short range. Brad Frost converted to give his side a six point advantage.
Eight minutes later the lead was wiped out as Jordan Baldwin fed loose forward Mark Sutcliffe from dummy half for a try converted by Kieran Nicholson.
On the quarter hour Sutcliffe crossed for his second, barging defenders aside to cross from close range. Once again the extras were added, making it 12-6 to the visitors.
Twice Illingworth were unfortunate not to extend that lead as Nicholson breaks down the left were ended as the winger’s foot hit the touchline.
The scores were level however with 25 minutes on the clock, as a superb cross field kick on the last tackle fell into the hands of Frost who managed to evade the last defender to touchdown. The winger added the conversion.
On the cusp of half-time the
Spartans took the lead when full back Kian Morgan slotted over a drop goal to put his side one point up at the break.
Within five minutes of the restart that lead was extended when following neat play in midfield hooker Josh Wilcock finished well and close enough to the posts for Frost to once again convert.
Illingworth responded four minutes later following passing moves which crossed right to left and back allowing second row forward and man of the match Harry Bromyard use his strength to force the try. Graham
Charlesworth converted to cut his side’s deficit to just one point.
Vaughan Walsh with quarter of an hour remaining put his side, battling up the slope, in position to claim the win.
A tap following a penalty on half way was fed directly to him and he raced away for the score. Charlesworth again converted.
Improbably Bromyard completed the scoring with five minutes remaining slotting over a drop goal from 20 metres out making it 25-19 at the final whistle.