Silsden Park Rangers ARLFC

Emley Moor 37 Silsden Park Rangers 20

An under-strength side travelled to Emley due to the absence of Mark Adams, Neil Jordan and James Doherty all with work commitments in flooded Carlisle .  Silsden started promisingly and took the lead after the Emley loose forward was penalised for punching and Andy Bowness converted from 40 yards.  After 15 minutes, Emley scored a converted try under the sticks with good support play , exposing Silsden’s midfield defence.  Silsden then rallied and scored a well worked try after a break by Tony Fella and his perfectly timed off load in the tackle to Andy Bowness to score under the posts giving him an easy conversion.  Emley then pressed hard, but excellent defence from the Chris Greenwood, Jon Gwilliam and Lee Shaw gave Emley nothing.  Silsden looked to have the edge in attack with the probing Jon Gwilliam asking all the questions, but against the run of play, a break down the middle of the field by the Emley centre led to good field position and they scored a converted try.  Emley then added a field goal on the next attack to lead 13-8 at half time. 

Graeme Sheffield’s half time rally asked much of the 14 man squad, and for 5 minutes in the second half, it looked to be working with good drives from props Silsden’s Ed Billings and Chris Langdale.  Emley reverted to a very physical game and several high tackles went unpunished.  Craig Spencer needed off the field treatment and with no subs available, Emley took full advantage scoring 3 converted tries to lead by 31-8.  Silsden worked hard to re-assert themselves, and good defence out wide from Anthony Smith, Steve Dent Steve Holmes and Chris Fell denied Emley more points.  Matt Bowness was forced to leave the pitch with a shoulder injury, and Lee Shaw bravely re-entered the game despite a sprained ankle.  Emley eventually broke the Silsden defence down the middle and scored a well worked try easily converted by the faultless Emley kicker.  Silsden refused to lie down and were rewarded when Jon Gwilliam broke the Emley midfield defence and fed the supporting Tony Fella who drew the full-back and passed back overhead to Jon Gwilliam who scored under the posts. Andy Bowness added the extras.  Silsden finished the game the stronger side and man of the match Ed Billings scored from close range giving Andy Bowness the final say in the scoring as he converted to give a final score of Emley Moor 37 Silsden Park Rangers 20.  It was a gutsy performance by the Silsden youngsters, and the team were left to wonder if it would have been a different story if they had had the experience of Adams and Jordan on the field.

Silsden take on the league leaders Newsholme Panthers away next week.  Kick off is at 2.00pm.

Send mail to grahamclay@blueyonder.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: February 14, 2005