Skirlaugh Suffer Cruel Late Defeat Despite Outstanding Effort

Skirlaugh suffered late heartbreak on the road as an entertaining and fiercely contested encounter slipped away in the closing stages, with Newsome Panthers maintaining their unbeaten home record courtesy of a dramatic 20-18 victory.

 In what was a tremendous advert for community rugby league, Skirlaugh travelled to face another side yet to lose on home soil and made the brighter start despite electing to play uphill in the first half.

The visitors opened the scoring following some dominant early approach work from Ross Kemp and Freddie Watts. Alfie Walker organised an excellent left-edge shape before Josh Smith picked out a gap with a clever pass, sending Tom Gray over for the game’s first try. Smith was unable to add the extras, leaving Skirlaugh 4-0 ahead.

Both sides then settled into a high-quality arm wrestle, trading strong sets and testing each other’s defensive resolve. Marcus Hall, Harry Gotts and Matty Shepherdson led the forward pack superbly, while George Thompson’s distribution ensured Skirlaugh remained organised and dangerous with ball in hand.

Newsome’s response came in controversial circumstances. A disputed one-on-one ball steal close to the Skirlaugh line saw possession awarded to the hosts, and the resulting play ended with a converted try to give Newsome a 6-4 lead.

Buoyed by the advantage and aided by the downhill slope, Newsome increased the pressure through their powerful forward pack. Skirlaugh, however, defended with immense determination. Ross Kemp, Barney Fishwick and Keane Dearlove produced a series of big defensive efforts to keep the Panthers at bay.

 The hosts eventually extended their lead following another contentious decision. A strong tackle from Josh Atkinson and Nath Dunn appeared to force the Newsome centre into touch, but the referee ruled a ball steal. Newsome capitalised from the ensuing possession, with their hooker breaking through to score beneath the posts and stretch the lead to 12-4.

 Skirlaugh refused to be rattled. Excellent game management from Lochlan Fitzgerald and Alfie Walker earned valuable field position before a brilliant attacking move brought the visitors back into the contest. Dearlove’s long cut-out pass found Fitzgerald, who quickly released Dunn. The in-form centre beat his opposite number with sharp footwork before producing a trademark one-handed flick pass for winger Josh Atkinson to finish brilliantly in the corner. Smith’s difficult conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the halftime score at 12-8.

 With the slope now in their favour, Skirlaugh emerged for the second half full of confidence.

Dearlove immediately began causing problems around the ruck, taking advantage of strong carries from Atkinson, Hall and Fishwick. Newsome struggled to contain the energetic hooker, and the pressure soon told.

 After a mistake from the Newsome full-back, Skirlaugh executed a well-rehearsed attacking shape. Freddie Watts and Fitzgerald combined to create space before Smith looped around the back and drew two defenders, releasing Dunn to score out wide. The conversion narrowly missed, but the scores were level at 12-12.

 Newsome threw everything at Skirlaugh in response, but the visitors’ defensive resolve was outstanding. Thompson, Kemp, Shepherdson and Gotts repeatedly turned away attacking raids through sheer determination and effort.

 That resilience appeared to be rewarded when Skirlaugh took the lead. Following a powerful carry from Barney Fishwick that scattered defenders and generated a quick play-the-ball, Dearlove spotted an opportunity from dummy-half and raced 25 metres, beating three defenders to score a superb individual try. Smith added the conversion and Skirlaugh suddenly found themselves in control at 18-12.

 However, the immense defensive workload began to take its toll. Newsome generated momentum through repeated sets, aided by three consecutive six-again calls that kept Skirlaugh pinned in their own half. Further pressure resulted in Matty Shepherdson being sin-binned for a holding-down offence, and Newsome reduced the deficit to 18-14 with a penalty goal.

 Down to 12 men, Skirlaugh faced an uphill battle. Sensing an opportunity, Newsome continued to attack relentlessly. The hosts worked their way into good field position before exploiting the extra man, spreading the ball wide for their winger to dive over in the corner and snatch a dramatic late victory.

 Despite the disappointment of the result, Skirlaugh can take enormous pride from a committed and courageous display against one of the competition’s strongest home sides.

Man of the Match: Marcus Hall

Ex-Players’ Man of the Match: Keane Dearlove

TRY SCORERS

🏉 Tom Gray
🏉 Josh Atkinson
🏉 Nath Dunn
🏉 Keane Dearlove

🎯 Josh Smith 1/4 Conversions

Head Coach Matt Danville’s Comments

 “It is a tough one to take because for long periods I thought we were the better side and we put ourselves in a position to win the game. We knew coming here would be a huge challenge against an unbeaten home team, but the lads showed tremendous character and commitment throughout.

 “I thought our effort in defence was outstanding at times. We had players putting their bodies on the line for each other and our attitude was exactly what you want to see. Marcus Hall led from the front all afternoon and was outstanding in both attack and defence. Keane Dearlove was a constant threat around the ruck and really turned the momentum our way in the second half.

 “Unfortunately, a combination of fatigue, discipline and a few decisions going against us meant we couldn’t quite get over the line. When you defend that many repeat sets against a quality side, eventually it becomes difficult to hold on.

 “The biggest positive is that we proved we can compete with one of the strongest teams in the league on their own ground. The players are hurting because they care, but if we keep producing that level of effort and commitment, we’ll win far more games than we lose.”