Ace Insurance (Europe) BARLA National Cup holders
QUEENS missed out to
HUNSLET WARRIORS in the
LEEDS & DISTRICT ARL’S TETLEY BURTON CUP FINAL at Buslingthorpe Vale.
Pam Crosby reports
Newly crowned CMS Yorkshire League Premier Division Champions Hunslet Warriors defeated local rivals Queens on Wednesday night in the final of the Leeds and District Tetley Burton Trophy.
A tight game was expected as the new champions took on last weekend`s winners of the BARLA National Cup at Buslingthorpe Vale, Queens` home ground.
Under strength Warriors were missing a couple of key players and despite the efforts of Johnny Dawson and Paul Sebine in particular, went behind after 15 minutes to a Jonathan Milner penalty. However 15 minutes later slick handling between Warriors captain and loose forward Caldon Bravo and centre Joe Howey sent in stand off Micky Lyons for the first try. Full back Gary McClelland converted.
On 26 minutes, Warriors scrum half Richard Wheelhouse`s smart kick along the ground put in centre Mark Cunningham for a try. McClelland again converted.
Following a strong run from forward Omar Medhi Warriors went further ahead when they were awarded a penalty for offside.
Warriors` domination continued as first Joe Howey had a try disallowed for offside then Mark Cunningham was held up over the line.
However Queens did not give up and scored through a Ryan Walker try on the stroke of half time.
Queens started the second half brightly with centre Steve Morton going over after just 5 minutes and Milner converting.
Hunslet Warriors replied with tries from Omar Medhi and Joe Howey who raced 50 yards through the Queens defence to score in the corner.
Queens continued to push the line but Warriors` defence held firm with outstanding work from Oli Graham, Paul Sebine and Jim Baker. On 72 minutes Hunslet Warriors scrum half Wheelhouse again chipped through for Howey to score his second try.
Frustration then set in for Queens as they lost Simon Wilkes to a yellow card for dangerous play, but managed to score the final try of the game through centre James Brown.
Hunslet Warriors coach Paul Jackson insisted that at least five of his team could be nominated for Man of The Match in the 34-22 success but it was forward Omar Medhi who was named by the referee.
