Illingworth bow out of the Presidents Cup after extra time loss to Sharlston
IN CONDITIONS not conducive to open, attractive Rugby, Illingworth and Sharlston still managed to entertain spectators in this Pennine President’s Cup semi final.
Extra time was required before the visitors eventually progressed with an 18-14 victory.
Playing against the elements Illy opened the scoring early after the kick off was allowed to go untouched out of the in goal area.
Skipper Andrew McElroy fed the ball out to the right giving youngster Kyle Scott the opportunity to cross in the corner for an unconverted try and a four point lead.
That lead lasted until the 17th minute when second row forward Liam Kendall levelled the scores from close range. Again the conversion was unsuccessful.
Illy regained the advantage five minutes later when hooker Jordan Baldwin used his strength to go over from a play the ball close to the line.
An 8-4 scoreline separated the sides at the break.
As in the first half the kick off receivers failed to deal with the restart.
An Illy knock on gave Sharlston a scrum from which they created the chance for winger James Lingard to level scores.
The visitors took the lead ten minutes later when substitute Ashley Kavanagh broke from deep in his own half to set up the position for Ash Smith to go over. Kyle Dutson’s conversion made it 14-8.
Winger Scott had Illingworth’s best effort to reply, being forced into touch a yard short of the line.
However, with two minutes remaining Baldwin kept his side’s hopes of a final place alive crossing again from close range. Sean Dyson’s conversion took the game into extra time.
The match was ultimately decided three minutes into the extra 10.
Dutson’s high kick evaded defensive efforts and found Josh Harrison who touched down for the winning points wide on the left wing.