Kruts v Castleford Panthers 110306 Castleford Panthers U12s 10 Knottingley Rockware U12s 10
The honours were even in this pulsating Challenge Cup tie in which an outstanding level of rugby was played by both sides.
Knottingley had the first say after a good spell of early pressure. Asher Hoyle, dominant at hooker, fed Ryan Hart who in turn delivered a neat pass to Ben Reynolds who duly obliged with opening the score - Benny Tucker added the conversion. Knottingley showed their class with some excellent handling skills, Ryan Barnaby, Gino Burnett, Hoyle, Hart and Tucker providing great ball for powerfull pack men Tom Fitzsimmons, Robert Nicholls and James Raywood. They also showed their grit in defence with outstanding performances from Liam Kitchen, Curtis Macdonald, James Mattin, Barnaby and Reynolds. Panthers bagged a reply though when a high kick beat the Knott defence and half time came with the score 6-4 in Knott's favour.
Knottingley started to exert more pressure in the second half with Nicholls, Fitzsimmons and Raywood tiring the Panthers defence. It was only a matter of time before Knott increased the scoreline when Reynolds fed Terence Link a beauty to cross in the corner. Knott continued on the offensive but became frustrated when the Panthers line just would not budge and conceded a penalty which ultimately led to Panthers levelling the score.
Tom Langdale, Nicky Beach, Mikey Dalton, Ryan Neilson, Nicky Beach, Andrew Woolford and Grant Smith supported the squad magnificently.
Knott threw everything into the dying minutes and, despite disappointment from two disallowed tries, kept looking for the decider which was just not going to come. Full credit to both sides and lets hope the re-match at Knottingley is played in the same spirit. | | |
