Pennine League Supplementary Cup Second Round: Silsden 24 Allerton Bywater 8

BEN Ross claimed two tries in a man of the match performance as Silsden dug deep in the mud to progress to the next round.

In extremely heavy conditions after overnight rain, this Supplementary Cup clash was unlikely to be full of flowing rugby – and so it proved, with defences on top throughout a hard-fought game.

The first score came after five minutes when a great high ball to the corner saw the Allerton full back knock on and Chris Geenwood, following up at speed, picked up and drove over the line, though it was too far out for the conversion.

The next score followed a mistake by the visitors, who knocked on to give possession to Silsden. Slick play saw the ball moved to the right, and Jack Ninnis used both his pace and his strength to get over in the corner. This time the extras were added by Ross.

The best move of the game resulted in the Cobbydalers' third try when a great pass from Tim Wilkinson saw Scott Cunningham steam through a hole in the line to score an unconverted try.

Silsden led 14-0 at the break but the match was still in the balance.

This was even more apparent when Allerton scored early in the second period, one of their big forwards forcing his way over the line, though the try was unconverted.

Silsden sensed a comeback and they responded strongly to restore their advantage at 14 points. Strong runs upfield, led by the evergreen Phil Stephenson, led to some nice footwork from man of the match Ross, which saw him cross the whitewash. The conversion was sliced to the side of the posts.

Allerton refused to give in and scored another try with a barge over to complete their scoring.

With both sides now tiring in the mud, Ross got his second right on the whistle, converting his own score to rubber-stamp Silsden's place in the next round.

The Cobbydalers are back in league action Birkenshaw on Saturday (2pm kick-off).