HFH U14s in form in Cumbria

Askam U14 0 HFH U14 28 HALTON Farnworth Hornets’ U14s made a trip into the unknown as they travelled north to Cumbria in the National Cup to face their counterparts from Askam.

After the long journey the team looked ready to go and had plenty of defending to do early on as Askam had three sets on the Hornets’ line.

However, Halton’s players defended brilliantly to keep the big Cumbrian team out.

A good break from man-of-the-match Nathan Bannerman put the team on the attack and good hands sent Joe Riley in out wide to open the scoring.

Soon after, Aiden Doolan put George Delaney into a hole and he expertly drew the fullback to send the supporting Adam Jack over for a try.

The opposition’s selection as man-of-thematch, Sam Haynes, who was a handful all game, then scored a great solo try from 40 metres out to make it 14-0 at half-time.

Hornets continued to control the game well in the second half, and centre Riley was on the end of some sweeping attacking moves to score two more tries and complete a welldeserved hat-trick.

Jack crossed for his second four-pointer, with a dummy and step to ghost under the posts without being touched.

Lewis Hughes tagged on two kicks in tough, windy conditions to make the final score 28-0.

All the team were very strong defensively, but a bit wasteful in attack as the final pass went astray four or five times when a try looked a certainty.

All credit to Askam as they battled hard all game and the Halton lads certainly knew they had been in a contest.

Hornets have been drawn at home in the next round with a tie against West Yorkshire outfit Siddal, a team they have forged a close friendship with over the last couple of years. ● HFH U16s received a bye in the first round of the National Cup after East Leeds conceded the fixture. The reward has been a five-hour round trip to face Hull Dockers.

The game is scheduled for Sunday, February 18, but this is subject to official confirmation.