Askam survive early scare to secure home win

The promoted Leeds side came with a reputation of being a struggling side, and the early indications suggested that was the case as they trailed 22-0 after the same number of minutes. However, instead of the anticipated cricket score which was on the cards, the visitors hit back in style, playing fast, attractive rugby pulling back to 22-18 and looking capable of pulling off a shock win.

Askam kept their nerve though and late tries from Ben Lewney and Tom Askew sealed the points.

It was Lewney who put the first points on the board after only two minutes when he crossed out wide after taking a neat pass from Adam Jackson.

On 10 minutes, Joe Satterthwaite intercepted to clear his lines and Tom Butler took up the running and Tom Askew streaked down the touchline to score. The conversion came via Jackson.

Askew was soon in for his second, courtesy of a Lewney pass and this time Jackson tagged on the goal.

Drighlington hardly had ball in hand and went further behind after Satterthwaite had sent Dan Sayle to within inches of the line. From the play Marc Dixon forced his way over for Jackson to convert for 22-0.

Drighlington slowly put attacks in place and it took a fine Satterthwaite tackle to prevent Ben Mobozyn from touching down.

However, on 32 minutes they were rewarded with a try when slick handling along the line saw Steve Meldrew cross, with Mike Sanderson adding the goal. This spurred on the Leeds outfit, with several raids just failing to put points on the board.

Then on the stroke of half-time, ably assisted by some poor defensive work from the home side, Andrew Brearley crashed over by the posts for Sanderson to convert for 22-12 at the break.

The second half was barely under way when Sanderson and Mobozny paved the way for Jake Dearden to go in at the corner for an unconverted try. With Askam’s defence all at sea the visitors went close through winger Tom Moorby.

Tom Hopkins worked hard to rally his team-mates being held up over the line in a rare attack. Lewney then went close but like Hopkins was held up over the line while at the other end minutes later the gap was down to four points.

Pressure forced Askam to push the ball dead but from the drop-out the ball went directly into touch allowing Sanderson to kick the resulting goal from the penalty for 22-18.

With seven minutes left on the clock the home side calmed their nerves. Russ Bolton made a telling break with Tom Butler taking play deep from where Jackson sent Lewney in at the corner. Jackson landed a towering touchline goal.

Drighlington were then denied when Sanderson went over but the try was ruled out for an alleged forward pass which looked a harsh decision.

Askam survived and took play back upfield for Satterthwaite and Butler to link and send Cairns in at the corner.

Barrow Island coasted to a 38-10 Conference Division Three home win over Stanningley after leading 24-4 at the break.

Tries came via Jake Stockdale, Alastair McEwan, Ryan Clegg, Jack Sutherland, Scott Hadwin, Carl McBain and a brace from Dan Wright with Jack Howden adding three goals. A try in the final seconds denied Walney victory at Glasson. Cents were leading 31-30, with the last passage of play seeing the home side cross for an unconverted try.

Tries for the Cents came from Matty Elliott, 2, Mike Elliott, Brad Nicholls, Adam Nicholson and Jake Devereux.

Ulverston were second best at Wath Brow A losing out 38-10 to a side well marshalled by former Whitehaven player Leroy Joe.

Tries for the Dragley Beck side came from Josh Rankin and Steve O’Connor with one conversion via Connor Saunders.

Hindpool were also on the wrong end of a scoreline, going down 40-22 at Simms Cross who led 22-16 at the break. Tries for the Brisbane Park side came from Stu Traviss, Lee Boyd and Paul Rickleton, with goals from Boyd and Grant Burns, 2.

Millom were also out of luck. They lost 32-10 at Thornhill in the Conference second division.