Siddal make it three wins from six
Siddal ground out a third National Conference League win of the season with an 18-10 win over Egremont Rangers in a tough encounter with their Cumbrian visitors. Prop Gareth English turned in another terrific performance while rugby union convert centre Chester Butler again took the eye in defence and attack.
Siddal, who are without a game this weekend, took a rather fortunate lead after five minutes.
The ball hit Ross White’s knee, was propelled 30 yards forward, and he went on to score with Egremont thinking a knock on had occurred. Stand off Liam Coe added an easy conversion.
There were narrow escapes at both ends, fullback Freddie Walker going close for Siddal , referee Gareth Evans ruling he had knocked on as reached out to place the ball down over the try line.
Egremont opened their account in the 11th minute when the ball bounced in their favour from a high kick and James McDonald ran on to score . Centre Ross Brookes couldn’t add the goal.
The visitors hit the front three minutes later with a well constructed tryfrom left winger Jack Stainton in the corner for 6-8.
On 22 minutes that lead was increased by a Brookes penalty but Egremont failed to prevent the Siddal restart from going dead and English fooled the defence with a deft dummy at a play the ball and he coasted over the try line. Coe’s goal put Siddal 12-10 up and that is how it stayed until half time.
Siddal were under heavy pressure at the start of the second half but held firm and this was a turning point in the game.
English, George Ambler and Iain Davies were beginning to get on top of the visiting pack and took Siddal upfield.
Hooker Craig Sanderson was making good yards from acting half and he set up the decisive score for centre Butler, who powered through from 20 metres.
Coe couldn’t add the difficult conversion but hits 62nd minute penalty put two more points between the teams.
In the final 10 minutes Egremont hit back but the home side lifted their defensive effort with subs Danny Gregory and Sean McCormack working overtime and Hammond twice preventing Egremont from breaking through.
Fine tactical kicking from Coe in the closing minutes helped see Siddal through. Elland host Normanton Knights in the Conference Cup at Greetland this weekend.
Elland lost 30-18 at Ince Rose Bridge in Division One last time out, leaving them with two wins from six matches following last season’s promotion campaign.
“I probably had bigger hopes for the start of the season than where we are now, but I’m confident about us staying in that league,” said coach Karl Fairbank.
“Maybe I should be more worried, but I think we’ll upset a few of the bigger teams before the end of the year.
“We’ve been competing in every game, we just need to find a bit more consistency.”
Fairbank highlighted half back as the major problem for his side, but with Ben Anderson - the son of former Halifax player and coach Tony - an emerging talent at stand off, there are signs of that problem being solved.
“We’ve given Ben an opportunity and he’s done okay,” said Fairbank, who also hopes to have forward Andy Shickell back in the side this weekend after a winter playing rugby union.
“I think when we get Brad Radcliffe back or Phil Taylor back, and pair them up with Ben, that will solve a big headache for us.” The newly-formed Halifax Elite Rugby Academy, the brainchild of Gloucester All Golds coach Lee Greenwood and his brother Gareth, held a successful taster day at Park Lane College over Easter. The Academy, which will mix specialist coaching with education for 16-18 year olds, will have its first intake in September. Students will get what Lee Greenwood, the former Halifax player and assistant coach who delivered a similar programme at Calderdale College, describes as a “50/50” mix of rugby league coaching and classroom work, with a BTEC Level 3 Sport qualification the end goal. The next event on the calendar is an open evening, again at Park Lane, on Monday, May 11. Further details are available at www.halifaxeliterugbyacademy.co.uk