Last-gasp pen settles pulsating Roses tie
LEWIS Minkin was the toast of Yorkshire, his penalty – the final kick of an engrossing Roses’ affair – giving the hosts an absorbing win.
A large crowd was treated to a typically allguts, bodies on the line contest between the oldest of rivals, ultimately settled at the death.
Minkin was on the board after just 25 second to give his side the perfect start, but tries from Fylde trio Sam Carleton, Ben Gregory and Henry Hadfield saw Lancashire lead by eight at the break.
When Oliver Glasse and Rhys Henderson went over in the space of five minutes, the competition’s most successful county was dreaming of another Twickenham tie.
But Dan Scarborough’s charges remained resolute and, after Ben Boothman and Keane Naylor scuppered excellent opportunities, Minkin kept his nerve in Leeds.
“What an advert for the competition. We’ve had four sessions, brought together lads from five or six clubs and they’ve been brilliant,” said Yorkshire head coach, Scarborough.
“We had a really good win last week, but it was obvious we needed to look at our defence. That was the focus in the week.”
Minkin’s try in the opening minute set the scene for a tie which neither truly got hold of.
After Minchin added a penalty to his try, Lancashire’s response was to rally. Carleton and Gregory dotted down, the latter from a perfectly executed driving maul.
Will Hardwick took advantage of Steve Johnson’s side-step, the Hull man inviting his Leeds colleague to take the glory from ten metres.
The superb Hadfield, showed his pace to cut Yorkshire’s lead to one point at 18-17, although there was still time for
George Mewburn to burrow over in the seconds preceding the interval.
Glasse and Henderson, were in on the act early in the second period, Henderson’s effort the culmination of a fine break from replacement Jordan Dorrington; crucially, having built a six-point lead at 25-31, Lancashire couldn’t turn the screw.
Brady inched over the line with 15 minutes to go, ahead of Minchin pushing them over the line – somewhat relieved, having missed a chance at goal moments earlier.
It’s now a waiting game for the White Rose county, who are relying on Northumberland to beat Cheshire in order for them to make the Twickenham showpiece.