Nevison Leap pipped to Cup by Sharlston

The Wakefield side’s 24-10 success – at Featherstone Rovers’ Big Fellas Stadium – was in the balance until the final five minutes, when the hot favourites scored eight points to pull clear.

Pontefract-based Nevison Leap, of the Pennine League’s second tier Championship Division, never led against their Premier opponents, but produced the sort of battling display which suggests they will be competing on level terms next season.

Rovers have players who have competed at a higher level and that told in the end, with hooker Dean Gamble’s superb individual performance being rewarded with the man-of-the-match prize.

Rovers’ Geoff Hick had an early touchdown ruled out for a double movement before Gareth Davies – formerly of Featherstone Rovers and Hunslet Hawks – ran a great line on to Phil Hill’s pass to open the scoring after 35 minutes, Ian Jackson converting.

But Sharlston lost possession from the restart and Luke Thomas went over from Matty Godber’s pass, though Luke Beecher failed to add the extras.

Scott Glassell, who had been sin-binned in the first half, went over at the start of the second and Jackson added the conversion, but Leap’s Gareth Dyas had a touchdown disallowed before Kyle Bailey scrambled over and Daniel Richardson’s goal cut the gap to two points with 15 minutes left.

Sean Emblem capped a fine game by storming over from Glassell’s pass on 70, but with the kick missed Leap were still in it until Jackson landed a penalty goal and then converted after Adam Saynor rampaged over for a remarkable solo try in the final seconds.

Rovers’ coach Gordon Long insisted: “I was not surprised by how strongly Nevison Leap came at us.

“We had to dig deep in the first half when we were down to 12 men and it was always going to be a forward battle in the conditions.

“I am very proud of our players, particularly their second-half display.”

Leap boss Richard Addy was “disappointed at the result, but chuffed to bits with the performance”.

He reflected: “We can hold our heads high.

“Sharlston closed the game down towards the end, but we can push on now and hopefully win our division.”

Nevison Leap: Law, Gundill, Jepson, Dunwell, Beecher, Nicholson, Godber, D Richardson, Milton, Thomas, Dyas, Scott Wilson. Thomsen. Substitutes: Bailey, Stranson, C Richardson, Gilbert.

Sharlston Rovers: Jackson, Hick, Davies, Glassell, Sam Wilson, Hill, Wandless, Emblem, Gamble, Bingham, Waddle, Lingard, Glassell. Substitutes: Childs, Crowther, Mallinder, Saynor.

Referee: D Gillespie.

Tom Halloran scored nine points as Dewsbury Celtic beat West Hull 13-4 in the Under-18 Yorkshire Cup final.

A Halloran try and goal and Nathan Lawrence’s touchdown gave Celtic a 10-0 interval lead and Halloran booted a penalty and drop goal before West Hull scored on the final play.