Dalton U14s 18 Askam U14s 12

DALTON came out on top in the Barrow and District Youth League Under-14s KO Cup final by seeing off Askam.

Askam landed the first blow when Zak Steel put in a high kick to the right-hand side and Charlie Emslie jumped clear and grounded the ball for the opening try of the game.

They failed to convert, but Askam’s try shook Dalton as the rivals tried to gain field position, though defences were on top and forcing errors.

Another strong Askam drive forced Dalton to defend on their 10-metre line, but they held firm.

The Kelland Park side gradually came into the game as Jack Crarey and Harry Gordon started to get some ball.

A sweeping move on Dalton’s left edge saw Askam’s scrambling defence contain the attack. But from the resultant scrum, Dalton again attacked the left and Brad Richards drove for the line and managed to force his way over for their first try.

Tyler Spence converted to put his side 6-4 ahead.

Dalton now had the momentum, with forwards Caine Taylor and Jake Burge running hard, but Askam’s defence again stood firm.

A fine break from Spence, Jack Stephenson and Patrick Kelly gave them good field position and a quick play the ball saw Dalton attack the right-hand edge. With the Askam defence stretched, the race for the line was on.

Niall Cush won it and dived over, only for the try to be disallowed for having a foot in touch.

A fine break from Adam Cartmel moved Dalton into the middle of the park and another sweeping move saw Dalton go close on the left. Two quick-fire passes from Crarey and Gordon from left-to-right then opened up the gap for Burge to crash over under the posts.

The delight was short-lived as the far touch judge gave a forward pass and another try was chalked off.

The second half started with Askam awarded back-to-back penalties, which gave them good field position. Steel, Emslie and Owen Bridle were playing particularly well as they pushed on.

From another penalty, Steel crashed over from close range to put his side ahead. The conversion was missed, but Askam led 8-6.

Askam put Dalton under more pressure, forcing them into playing one-out rugby.

Dalton’s defence was resolute, with Devon Hartley, Sam Purslow and Josh Grant defending well.

A good drive from Hartley to the 20-metre line and quick hands released centre Zac Milby.

He showed great pace and acceleration to go through a gap before racing out wide and going the length of the field to ultimately dive under the posts. Spence converted, resulting in his side holding a 12-8 lead. Dalton were on top and they started to play some good rugby.

From good field position, Gordon darted out from dummy half and put a neat chip into the corner, where Milby gathered and dived over for his second try, with Spence slotting over a great conversion to put Dalton ahead by 10 points.

The game followed the same pattern as both sides were determined in defence. As the game wore on, tempers started to flare, with both sides conceding penalties.

With a minute remaining, the game boiled over as players from both sides were involved in a scuffle.

Dalton’s Caine Taylor was sent off and Askam were awarded the penalty.

In the dying seconds, Steel barged over to claim a consolation try before Dalton were able to celebrate their cup-winning achievement.

All at Askam and Dalton wish Villagers player Ethan Bickerdyke well after he broke his collarbone in the game.

Man-of-the-Match: Zac Milby (Dalton)

Dalton: Spence, Cush, Milby, Stephenson, Purslow, Kelly, Gordon, Burge, Crarey, Taylor, Richards, Guest, Cartmel, Lancaster, Grant, Hartley, Bartlett.