Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC Pettit the hero as Hornets scare Swinton Lions
Last updated 13:53, Monday, 10 March 2008
EX-WORKINGTON Town forward David Pettit shook off a long-term knee injury to turn in a man-of-the-match performance for amateurs Wath Brow against NL2 Swinton Lions.
Touch down: Wath Brow’s Ryan Amor goes over for a try against Swinton Lions in yesterday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup clash at the Recreation Ground. Inset, man of the match David Pettit The Hornets led 14-0 deep in to the first-half before going down 40-14 in the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie at the Recre.
“David has been awesome in the last seven or eight games, he’s been man-of-the-match on most of those occasions,” said joint coach Ian Rudd.
“He’s been going really well and was awesome today. He always seemed like he would make half a break, and was quality.
“Wath Brow don’t get many players from outside, but he’s come in and been a tremendous asset.
“He talks a good game and is very good with the young kids, telling them what to do. He’s got a really bad knee and when he first came to us was wearing a knee brace all the time and talking about reconstruction. I think he still needs that.
“To put in the performances he does with a bad knee isn’t too bad.”
Rudd said the Hornets had been delighted with their first-half effort.
“We played all the rugby in the first-half and could have scored a few more tries,” he added. “We moved the ball from left to right and caused a lot of problems.”
Wath Brow face another huge test next Saturday when they host Ince Rose Bridge in the National Cup semi-final.
A win there will see them bid to lift the cup for a third time.
Brow stroll into last four
Published on 03/03/2008
WATH BROW HORNETS, who won the BARLA National Cup - now sponsored by ACE Insurance (Europe) - in 2004 and 2005, are a mere 80 minutes away from a return to the end of season Blackpool extravaganza.
Hornets, although in something of a rebuilding period following relegation last season, have confirmed their residual quality by forcing their way through to the semi-finals.
Wath Brow will entertain last season’s runners-up, Ince Rose Bridge, on Saturday March 15 and, on the evidence of their quarter-final win at Thornhill Trojans, should not want for confidence.
The Trojans may be battling against relegation from the Premier Division of the National Conference League – the general feeling is that they will survive, Castleford Panthers being the favourites to take the remaining spot – but the Dewsbury outfit is packed with amateur international talent and ex-professional expertise, and Hornets emerged with great credit, and an 18-6 win, from the Overthorpe Park bear pit.
Two of the side’s most experienced players, second row Mickey McAllister and stand off Craig Johnstone, played vital roles.
McAllister grabbed both of Hornets’ first half tries, Johnstone adding a conversion and a penalty to help establish a 12-6 interval lead. Thornhill’s slim prospects of rescuing the situation effectively vanished when their try scorer, centre Rob Copley, was sent off in the 48th minute for alleged misuse of the knees. And Wath Brow duly sealed their win, centre Francis King cruising in on the hour and Johnstone landing a late penalty.
The Old Days!
CARNEGIE CHALLENGE CUP - SECOND ROUND: Wath Brow Hornets 8, Ellenborough Rangers 6
IT WAS like old times at Red Beck Road on Saturday when Wath Brow and Elbra, separated at first team level since Hornets’ acceptance into the National Conference League several years ago, locked horns in the most venerated knock out competition of all.
An estimated four-figure crowd, packed deep around the perimeter fencing, witnessed an appropriately traditional thriller, played out on an equally traditional heavy pitch in a competition that will climax in the heat of late August at Wembley.
Wath Brow will not be present on that occasion, not on the pitch anyway. But they will certainly be in the hat, together with professional National League clubs such as Whitehaven and Workington Town, when the draw for the third round is made in Keith Hopwood’s living room in Newton-le-Willows on Thursday evening, Mr Hopwood having won a ballot of supporters conducted by the Rugby Football League for the privilege.
Elbra have missed out by a whisker but the Halbro Cumbria Cup holders can have few complaints, Hornets securing a spot in the limelight largely by dint of having registered the only try of the game.
The vital score came four minutes into the second period, with the scores locked at 4-4.
There appeared to be little danger when Wath Brow’s Andrew Hocking received the ball on the visitors’ 20-metre line; but the scrum-half had spotted a glimmer of an opportunity, and his pinpoint grubber gave alert centre Francis King the chance to pounce.
Hornets, with conditions deteriorating and handling becoming increasingly difficult, never looked back.
Rangers did manage a penalty by stand off Stephen Stoddart in response, but the further score that could have rescued the situation simply failed to materialise in the face of committed defence, leaving the National Conference League Division One promotion chasers worthy winners.
The sin binning of Elbra hooker Barrie Murdock in the first half may also have had an impact, teams not necessarily feeling the effect of being a man short until later in a game.
Murdock departed after Wath Brow stand-off Craig Johnstone had opened the scoring with a penalty, Johnstone duly stretching the home lead with his second goal.
Despite huge efforts by the likes of Hornets prop Mark Troughton and his opposite number Paul West, with Wath Brow back-row men Gary Elliott and David Pettit also impressing and Elbra prop Kevin Clarke responding in kind, there was no further score until half time approached, when Stoddart kicked his first goal.
The stand-off landed his equalising score immediately on the restart but celebrations were quickly put on hold in the light of King’s touchdown.
Wath Brow second-row Mickey McAllister was typically wholehearted throughout, while Hornets’ substitute Neil Gregg had a ‘try’ ruled out, late in the first half, for a forward pass by Hocking.
Wath Brow Hornets: Gavin Curwen; Paul Byers, Francis King, Andrew Stables, Jonny Machin; Craig Johnstone, Andrew Hocking; Mark Troughton, James Toman, David Currie, Mickey McAllister, Gary Elliott, David Pettit. Subs: Barry Hardman, Neil Gregg, James McClellan, Phil Coyles.
Ellenborough Rangers: David Sewell; Paul Southward, Steven Brough, David Whitworth, Dean Scholey; Steven Stoddart, Eddie Robinson; Kevin Clarke, Barrie Murdock, Paul West, Paul McGee, Craig Holdsworth, Andy Sawyers. Subs: Kyle Lofthouse, Darren Branthwaite, Jamie Watson, Lee Albert.
Hornets back in buzzness!
Published on 18/02/2008
WATH BROW HORNETS warmed up for Saturday’s attractive Carnegie Challenge Cup clash with Ellenborough Rangers with an impressive 20-12 victory at Eccles & Salford Juniors which keeps their hopes of forcing their way back into the promotion frame very much alive.
Hornets, now five points behind third-placed Saddleworth, have eight fixtures remaining and have two games in hand on the Oldham outfit.
Renewed confidence, in a National Conference First Division in which few sides are able to put significant winning runs together, is justified given the nature of the victory over an Eccles outfit that is battling against relegation but which is far more capable than its lowly status would suggest.
With second row Mickey McAllister outstanding, Wath Brow, who had lost their last four league games, all away from home, laid the bogey to rest after having trailed 6-4 at the break.
Having been limited in the first half to a try for winger Ryan Amor, Hornets took control after the restart, substitutes James McLennan and - after a raid by winger Johnny Lopez - Gary Elliott nipping in to create a winning platform.
Scrum half Andrew Hocking, who had sent Amor over, sealed the win with an opportunist score, and stand off Craig Johnstone landed two goals.
Brow Ease to Quaters!
Pettit the hero as Hornets scare Swinton Lions
Last updated 13:53, Monday, 10 March 2008
EX-WORKINGTON Town forward David Pettit shook off a long-term knee injury to turn in a man-of-the-match performance for amateurs Wath Brow against NL2 Swinton Lions.
Touch down: Wath Brow’s Ryan Amor goes over for a try against Swinton Lions in yesterday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup clash at the Recreation Ground. Inset, man of the match David Pettit The Hornets led 14-0 deep in to the first-half before going down 40-14 in the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie at the Recre.
“David has been awesome in the last seven or eight games, he’s been man-of-the-match on most of those occasions,” said joint coach Ian Rudd.
“He’s been going really well and was awesome today. He always seemed like he would make half a break, and was quality.
“Wath Brow don’t get many players from outside, but he’s come in and been a tremendous asset.
“He talks a good game and is very good with the young kids, telling them what to do. He’s got a really bad knee and when he first came to us was wearing a knee brace all the time and talking about reconstruction. I think he still needs that.
“To put in the performances he does with a bad knee isn’t too bad.”
Rudd said the Hornets had been delighted with their first-half effort.
“We played all the rugby in the first-half and could have scored a few more tries,” he added. “We moved the ball from left to right and caused a lot of problems.”
Wath Brow face another huge test next Saturday when they host Ince Rose Bridge in the National Cup semi-final.
A win there will see them bid to lift the cup for a third time.
Brow stroll into last four
Pettit the hero as Hornets scare Swinton Lions
Last updated 13:53, Monday, 10 March 2008
EX-WORKINGTON Town forward David Pettit shook off a long-term knee injury to turn in a man-of-the-match performance for amateurs Wath Brow against NL2 Swinton Lions.
The Hornets led 14-0 deep in to the first-half before going down 40-14 in the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie at the Recre.
“David has been awesome in the last seven or eight games, he’s been man-of-the-match on most of those occasions,” said joint coach Ian Rudd.
“He’s been going really well and was awesome today. He always seemed like he would make half a break, and was quality.
“Wath Brow don’t get many players from outside, but he’s come in and been a tremendous asset.
“He talks a good game and is very good with the young kids, telling them what to do. He’s got a really bad knee and when he first came to us was wearing a knee brace all the time and talking about reconstruction. I think he still needs that.
“To put in the performances he does with a bad knee isn’t too bad.”
Rudd said the Hornets had been delighted with their first-half effort.
“We played all the rugby in the first-half and could have scored a few more tries,” he added. “We moved the ball from left to right and caused a lot of problems.”
Wath Brow face another huge test next Saturday when they host Ince Rose Bridge in the National Cup semi-final.
A win there will see them bid to lift the cup for a third time.
Published on 03/03/2008
WATH BROW HORNETS, who won the BARLA National Cup - now sponsored by ACE Insurance (Europe) - in 2004 and 2005, are a mere 80 minutes away from a return to the end of season Blackpool extravaganza.
Hornets, although in something of a rebuilding period following relegation last season, have confirmed their residual quality by forcing their way through to the semi-finals.
Wath Brow will entertain last season’s runners-up, Ince Rose Bridge, on Saturday March 15 and, on the evidence of their quarter-final win at Thornhill Trojans, should not want for confidence.
The Trojans may be battling against relegation from the Premier Division of the National Conference League – the general feeling is that they will survive, Castleford Panthers being the favourites to take the remaining spot – but the Dewsbury outfit is packed with amateur international talent and ex-professional expertise, and Hornets emerged with great credit, and an 18-6 win, from the Overthorpe Park bear pit.
Two of the side’s most experienced players, second row Mickey McAllister and stand off Craig Johnstone, played vital roles.
McAllister grabbed both of Hornets’ first half tries, Johnstone adding a conversion and a penalty to help establish a 12-6 interval lead. Thornhill’s slim prospects of rescuing the situation effectively vanished when their try scorer, centre Rob Copley, was sent off in the 48th minute for alleged misuse of the knees. And Wath Brow duly sealed their win, centre Francis King cruising in on the hour and Johnstone landing a late penalty.
IT WAS like old times at Red Beck Road on Saturday when Wath Brow and Elbra, separated at first team level since Hornets’ acceptance into the National Conference League several years ago, locked horns in the most venerated knock out competition of all.
An estimated four-figure crowd, packed deep around the perimeter fencing, witnessed an appropriately traditional thriller, played out on an equally traditional heavy pitch in a competition that will climax in the heat of late August at Wembley.
Wath Brow will not be present on that occasion, not on the pitch anyway. But they will certainly be in the hat, together with professional National League clubs such as Whitehaven and Workington Town, when the draw for the third round is made in Keith Hopwood’s living room in Newton-le-Willows on Thursday evening, Mr Hopwood having won a ballot of supporters conducted by the Rugby Football League for the privilege.
Elbra have missed out by a whisker but the Halbro Cumbria Cup holders can have few complaints, Hornets securing a spot in the limelight largely by dint of having registered the only try of the game.
The vital score came four minutes into the second period, with the scores locked at 4-4.
There appeared to be little danger when Wath Brow’s Andrew Hocking received the ball on the visitors’ 20-metre line; but the scrum-half had spotted a glimmer of an opportunity, and his pinpoint grubber gave alert centre Francis King the chance to pounce.
Hornets, with conditions deteriorating and handling becoming increasingly difficult, never looked back.
Rangers did manage a penalty by stand off Stephen Stoddart in response, but the further score that could have rescued the situation simply failed to materialise in the face of committed defence, leaving the National Conference League Division One promotion chasers worthy winners.
The sin binning of Elbra hooker Barrie Murdock in the first half may also have had an impact, teams not necessarily feeling the effect of being a man short until later in a game.
Murdock departed after Wath Brow stand-off Craig Johnstone had opened the scoring with a penalty, Johnstone duly stretching the home lead with his second goal.
Despite huge efforts by the likes of Hornets prop Mark Troughton and his opposite number Paul West, with Wath Brow back-row men Gary Elliott and David Pettit also impressing and Elbra prop Kevin Clarke responding in kind, there was no further score until half time approached, when Stoddart kicked his first goal.
The stand-off landed his equalising score immediately on the restart but celebrations were quickly put on hold in the light of King’s touchdown.
Wath Brow second-row Mickey McAllister was typically wholehearted throughout, while Hornets’ substitute Neil Gregg had a ‘try’ ruled out, late in the first half, for a forward pass by Hocking.
Wath Brow Hornets: Gavin Curwen; Paul Byers, Francis King, Andrew Stables, Jonny Machin; Craig Johnstone, Andrew Hocking; Mark Troughton, James Toman, David Currie, Mickey McAllister, Gary Elliott, David Pettit. Subs: Barry Hardman, Neil Gregg, James McClellan, Phil Coyles.
Ellenborough Rangers: David Sewell; Paul Southward, Steven Brough, David Whitworth, Dean Scholey; Steven Stoddart, Eddie Robinson; Kevin Clarke, Barrie Murdock, Paul West, Paul McGee, Craig Holdsworth, Andy Sawyers. Subs: Kyle Lofthouse, Darren Branthwaite, Jamie Watson, Lee Albert.
Hornets, now five points behind third-placed Saddleworth, have eight fixtures remaining and have two games in hand on the Oldham outfit.
Renewed confidence, in a National Conference First Division in which few sides are able to put significant winning runs together, is justified given the nature of the victory over an Eccles outfit that is battling against relegation but which is far more capable than its lowly status would suggest.
With second row Mickey McAllister outstanding, Wath Brow, who had lost their last four league games, all away from home, laid the bogey to rest after having trailed 6-4 at the break.
Having been limited in the first half to a try for winger Ryan Amor, Hornets took control after the restart, substitutes James McLennan and - after a raid by winger Johnny Lopez - Gary Elliott nipping in to create a winning platform.
Scrum half Andrew Hocking, who had sent Amor over, sealed the win with an opportunist score, and stand off Craig Johnstone landed two goals.
Wath Brow 48 - 04 Crossfields
ACE INSURANCE (EUROPE) BARLA NATIONAL CUP
WATH Brow Hornets eased to the quarter-finals of the amateur game's premier knock-out competition with a comfortable 48-4 victory over Crosfields, who are struggling to avoid being forced to seek re-election to the National Conference League through finishing in the bottom two.
Hornets were denied any score until the 24th minute but once scrum half Andrew Hocking crossed, the floodgates opened.
Winger Ryan Amor helped himself to a hat-trick, with loose forward David Pettit and winger Paul Byers both netting two tries. Second row Kevin Thompson, full back Gavin Curwen and centre Francis King nipped over and stand-off Craig Johnstone kicked a couple of goals.
Wath Brow's main problem, now, is to determine the dates on which they are due to play their National Cup tie at Thornhill and their mouthwatering Carnegie Challenge Cup game with Ellenborough.
CHALLENGE CUP DOMINATION!
Wath Brow Hornets 58 - 4 Heworth
Both teams had to endure some harsh weather on a very dismal day, But it was the home side who took the game to the visitors with James McClellan opening the scoring on 12 minutes, Johnstone convert, the Brows forwards were working hard driving the ball up field well which resulted in a quick little play the ball from Hocking who scooted over the white wash, again Johnstone converted.
The visitors had to put in endless defensive stints against a hungry Brow side with McCallister, Pettitt and Troughton looking to take every ball in, from a fine drive by curry up to the 25 line Stables received a reveres pass before stepping his way over the try line in the corner, Conversion wide.
It was young Francis King who got his name on the score sheet next after Curries of load to extend the lead, Johnstone converted. The Brow side was now bussing with Hocking leading the visitors on a merry run which eventually resulted in him crossing the line for his second try of the day in the corner, Johnstone conversion wide. From the re start Curwen drove the ball in to the visitors half making 50 yards before Pettitt carried on with the attack b, Pettitt was tackled on the visitors 10mtr line but after a quick play the ball Hocking released McCallister to touch down, this was to be the final score of the half.. From the re start Byers made a fine break up field only to be tackled by the visitors winger Watkinson which was try saving effort, but again the Brows quick play the ball resulted in Amor crossing the whitewash to extend the home sides lead, Conversion wide 6 minutes later a great individual break by Pettitt who raced up into the visitors 40 mtr and eventually slipped a inside pass to Curwen who sprinted over the try line for his first points of the afternoon, Johnstone converted. The next Brow try came from Currie who broke the visitors defense just inside the half way line and stepped several would be tacklers before racing over the line to touch down, Johnstone converted. From the re start the Brow came up with a silly mistake which the visitors capitalized on when Potter picked up and made good yards down field before releasing Sean Brough who touched down for the visitors in the corner, conversion wide. From the kick off Brow gained position after some fantastic tackling from Gregg Coyles and Toman who was in every tackle and attack throw out the game, the home side crossed the white wash again with McClellan touching down followed shortly after by Curwen in the final minutes of the game.
Tries:
Wath Brow Hornets: James McClellan 12,76; Andrew Hocking 20,32; Francis King 30,35; Gavin Curwen 48,79; Andrew Stables 24; Mickey McAllister 39; Ryan Amor 56; David Currie 62;
Heworth: Sean Brough 67;
Conversions:
Wath Brow Hornets: Craig Johnstone 5
Man Of The Match:
Wath Brow Hornets: Dave Pettit
Heworth: John Coulson
NATIONAL CUP LATEST!
Rugby league: Ace Insurance (Europe) Barla National Cup Round Two
WATH Brow Hornets, winners of the competition in successive seasons in 2004 and 2005, signalled their intent on a return to Blackpool at the end of May with a hugely impressive 20-14 victory over West Hull in the second round of the Ace Insurance (Europe) BARLA National Cup.
Wests, themselves winners in 2002 and runners-up 12 months later, also have a fine pedigree but were beaten a shade more comfortably at Red Beck Road than the final scoreline would suggest.
Hornets were 16-4 ahead at the break, thanks to a try by full-back Gavin Curwen – courtesy of centre Francis King’s astute pass – a solo effort by hooker James Toman and a touchdown to winger Kevin Williamson, who Curwen sent over.
Stand-off Craig Johnstone added a conversion and, despite the efforts of scrum-half Andrew Hocking, prop Mark Troughton and substitute Neil Gregg, with centre Andrew Stables (the man of the match), loose forward David Pettit and substitute Phil Coyles offering grand support, there was no further score until deep into the final quarter, when Pettit sent young substitute Ryan Amor over the whitewash.
Wests hit back in the last few minutes with two touchdowns, one of which was registered by Cumbrian coach Craig Murdock. But Wath Brow held out for a deserved win
CHALLENGE CUP LATEST!
Wath Brow Hornets 42 - 40 Stanley Rangers
Wakefield outfit Stanley Rangers, of the NCL’s Second Division, were never in contention at WATH BROW HORNETS.
Scrum half Andrew Hocking scampered over for a hat trick in the 42-0 victory, including two tries in the last nine minutes, although second row Mickey McAllister, the man of the match, was unable to get the touchdown his efforts deserved.
Prop David Curry had a hand in the opening two tries, for second row Kevin Thompson and winger Kevin Williamson, with Thompson powering over again in the second period and stand off Ryan Amor contributing a try and three goals.
Hooker James Toman and full back Paul Byers also had touchdowns.
Pack of aces
Published on 11/01/2008
By Martin Morgan
THE latest chapter in giant-killing Wath Brow’s glorious Challenge Cup history kicks off tomorrow when they entertain Stanley Rangers in the preliminary round.
The Hornets’ cup victims in recent years include Workington Town and Dewsbury Rams, while they have performed with credit against Super League London Broncos and Huddersfield Giants, in addition to top French outfit Toulouse.
Joint coach Ian Rooney recalls such exploits with pride but prefers to focus on the present.
“Those days are gone. It was great to have them, but we are about the now,” he said.
Playmaker Craig Johnstone, who featured in many of Brow’s past big Challenge Cup triumphs, missed last week’s league defeat at Saddleworth as he was on honeymoon and will be absent again tomorrow, while Michael Maxwell has a serious knee injury.
The Hornets have done their homework on Stanley, who play in Conference Division Two.
They have spoken to coaches from Egremont and Millom, who also play in the national third-tier. Stanley lie level on points with Egremont in mid-table, with a game in hand.
“They are a physical side, not the most expansive,” Rooney added. “But our pack is probably our strong point so hopefully we’ll stand up to that.
“They have won three out of six on the road and will be battle-hardened. Hopefully we can play some rugby against them.
“We are coming off a defeat at Saddleworth and the better team won on the day. Although the score says 28-2, their kicking game was the difference. Our big pack were coming off their own line all the time.
“Our prep wasn’t the best as our previous game was on December 15, while they’d had a hard derby game against St Anne’s.”
Also in the cup, Ellenborough entertain Wigan St Jude’s, who lie just above Wath Brow in Conference Division One, and the Maryport outfit have contacted the Hornets for advice on their opponents.
“I told them all I know,” said Rooney, who has steered the Hornets to two wins this term at St Jude’s, who are coached by Kiwi Graeme West, the hugely-successful former Wigan Warriors boss.
“I want Ellenborough to win this one and I wish them all the best, and the same to our teams in the National Cup the following week.
“St Jude’s have the best back division in our division by a country mile. But on a wet field and at home, I think Ellenborough will beat them.
“It will be close, but I can’t see St Jude’s fancying coming up here on a wet day.”
Ellenborough chairman Wilson Smith said: “They will be well-coached but we’ll be ready for them.”
Carnegie Challenge Cup Preliminary Round: Ellenborough v Wigan St Judes; Wath Brow v Stanley Rangers
Saddleworth Rangers V Wath Brow Hornets
WATH Brow Hornets are now three points behind third-placed Wigan St Jude’s in the tussle for promotion from the National Conference League Division One.
Hornets, however, have a game in hand on Jude’s, and are two games to the good with regard to leading duo Saddleworth Rangers and York Acorn.
Saddleworth, who beat Wath Brow 28-2 in Oldham on Saturday, have gone ahead of Acorn on points’ difference but were, in truth, flattered by the scoreline as they sought revenge for the 33-16 defeat at Red Beck Road in early October.
There was no score until the 23rd minute, when Ryan Amor put Hornets ahead with a penalty, Rangers responding in kind five minutes later.
Saddleworth took the lead for the first time two minutes before the break with a second penalty, and went in at half time 10-2 in front courtesy of a converted touchdown in the closing seconds.
The home side stretched their lead to 14 points with another try and goal seven minutes after the restart, and there was no further score until nine minutes from the close when Hornets, despite the sterling efforts of second row/centre Mickey McAllister, conceded a couple of late tries, both of which were improved.
Wath Brow, however, will, despite the unfairness of the scoreline, be determined to rectify a travelling malaise which has resulted in three successive defeats, all away from home.
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