West Craven Warriors enjoy the battle (From Craven Herald)

West Craven Warriors enjoy the battle

10:42am Thursday 14th April 2011 in Rugby League By Sportsdesk

Thornhill Trojans 54, West Craven Warriors 16

West Craven Warriors travelled to promotion-chasing Thornhill in the Pennine League Third Division knowing they were safe from relegation and, with the pressure off, gave one of their best performances of the season.

Unfortunately, the scoreline was not a true reflection.

Due to seven players being unavailable, the Warriors only had 14 players and they made a terrible start, kicking out on the full, and were soon 12-0 behind but they composed themselves and dominated for the next ten minutes.

Chris Thomas controlled affairs around the ruck to allow half-backs Curt Smith and Dean Barritt to play on the front foot, Matt Handforth being unable to take a pass with the try-line open.

However, Trojans swiftly added two more tries, helped by their visitors, and it was 24-0.

The Warriors fought their way back and, on the stroke of half-time, got their reward as Thomas darted over from close range with two defenders on his back. Barritt added the conversion.

Buoyed by this, the Warriors produced 25 minutes of free-flowing rugby, the forwards setting an excellent platform, with props Tom Finlay and Mark Holden driving strongly.

This gave the half-backs the chance to get the backs moving, centres Adam Dix and Stephen Ansell putting in excellent displays.

The Warriors scored the try of the match early in the second half. Pat Smith made a half-break and, from the play-the-ball, the visitors shifted it wide.

Handforth charged towards the line and flicked the ball back inside to Pat Smith, who slipped through three tackles and off-loaded to Matt Davy, who was held inches from the line. Ansell stepped in at hooker and forced his way over to score, Barritt converting.

The third try came after a deep kick from Barritt was collected by the Thornhill winger, but an excellent chase by Finlay and Handforth put the pressure on and the Thornhill winger dropped the ball, Handforth gathering it and offloading to Finlay in one movement, the latter holding off a tackle to score in the corner for 30-16.

The Warriors, whose man of the match was Curt Smith, play their final home game of the season on Saturday against Boothtown Terriers (2.30pm).