Last updated at 13:53, Wednesday, 27 June 2012

A THRILLING finish at Rating Lane which included a Matt Parkinson penalty goal halfway through the 12 minutes of stoppage time saw Barrow Island snatch the points with a 18-16 victory over Halton Simms Cross.

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Despite the heavy rain all day Friday and throughout the night, the pitch was in perfect condition as Island were first with points on the board in the North West Men’s League.

The hard-working Perry Singleton crossed for a try and then added the goal points to make it 6-0.

Island were soon to lose Mike Botes with a broken hand, and then on the half hour Simms crossed for an unconverted try through centre Craig Tollet, making it 6-4. Both sides played enterprising rugby as Simms went ahead on the stroke of half-time with a try from prop Joe Miller, converted by Owen Bebbington to make it 6-10.

Ten minutes into the second half, veteran workhorse Craig McKinnon crashed over for a try. Full back Keiron Kavanagh disputed the score and was dispatched to the sin-bin by referee Terry Bewley. Matt Parkinson failed to add the goal, leaving the game at 10-10 with all to play for.

BAE rugby union man Ashley Mowat then charged for the line and was taken high, which resulted in Parkinson edging Island ahead to 12-10 after the penalty goal.

With four minutes of normal time left on the clock, a breakaway try scored by Scott Myler and converted by Bebbington, saw Simms ahead at 12-16.

With the end of normal time a minute away, Perry Singleton intercepted and raced 70 yards to score in the corner, despite four men being in pursuit.

However, Parkinson’s kick sailed wide and a draw looked a fitting result until his penalty goal on 86 minutes sealed the win.

Roose Pioneers defied the elements at a rain-sodden Redwaters to inflict the first defeat of the season on Walney Central. Pioneers put their 50-point hammering the previous week at Leigh East A behind them to topple the leaders 16-10 in a game played in torrential rain on Friday night.

Walney came out second best despite going into a 6-0 lead through a Harry Gee try and a Dave McKinley goal.

Pioneers then did the rest of the scoring before Matt Holmes crossed for an unconverted try as the 80 minutes were almost up.

Walney had prop Danny McBain sent off late in the game for an alleged stamp on Andy McClure, who was sin-binned for striking out. Tries for Pioneers came from Chris Burns, Ross Walker and Adam Batty, with Steve Perry adding two conversions.

Walney stay on top of the ladder – level on 12 points with Haydock, who defeated third-placed Hindley, the Cents having a superior points difference.

In the Conference First Division, Millom were second best at Wigan St Judes, losing out 44-20 after trailing 32-8 at the break.

Tries for the Woollybacks came from Wayne Ruddy, Anthony Green and Josh Banahan (2), with Rickie Donaghue adding two goals.

And there was no joy for Askam – also on the road in Division Two – they went down 34-20 at Widnes West Bank after trailing 18-4 at the break. Tries came from Tom Butler, Jos Steel, James Duerden and Darren Gaskell with two conversions from Kris Tyson.

Hindpool’s home game against Heysham was called off due to adverse weather, along with Ulverston’s game at Dragley Beck against Bamber Bridge.

lSee rugby league tables – Page 17

First published at 13:11, Monday, 25 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk