Pennine Supplementary Cup final: Silsden 22 East Leeds 29

Silsden came agonisingly close to glory in their first appearance in a cup final for many years at Batley’s ground.

They contributed to an exciting, high quality game, the result of which was in doubt up to the last few minutes.

Silsden lost the toss and were asked to play down the famous Mount Pleasant slope in the first half. The Leeds outfit were, however, the first to score when their speedy backs moved the ball to the wing to score out wide.

Both sides were then guilty of giving penalties away, but Silsden took advantage when substitute James Bowdin scored from a lovely short pass, the goal being added by Charlie Lowrie.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Silsden knocked on at the first carry and East Leeds moved it wide to the same corner for a second try, this time well converted.

Silsden took advantage of a mistake at the kick-off and, on the next set, Bowdin posted his second try with a strong run to the line, again converted by Lowrie.

The referee was losing patience with both sides messing about at the ruck and he put East Leeds on a team warning.

From the resultant penalty Bowdin got his hat-trick try when the ball was put through hands on the last tackle. Again the extras were added by Lowrie. Silsden increased their lead when Ben Ross crashed over in the corner after some slick passing created space.

Back came East Leeds to pinch a simple try and reduce the arrears to just six points at the break.

Now playing up the hill, the Cobbydalers were once again caught out by quick hands as East Leeds got over in the corner.

A loss of concentration saw them in again on the free play, this time with the extras added, and they would have scored again but for brave defence from Lowrie and Ben Atkinson, the former having to leave the field with a bad knock to his head.

The referee’s patience then ran out and the East Leeds scrum half was sin-binned, but they continued to press down the slope.

Atkinson came up with another try-saving tackle before Silsden pressed to reduce the four-point deficit. However, it was not to be as East Leeds kicked a penalty and drop goal in the final minutes to seal their victory.

Bowdin was awarded the man of the match trophy for his hat-trick of tries but every one of the Silsden team did the club proud.