STUDENTS TURN TEACHERS AND EDUCATE THE TROJANS

Despite a heavy early morning snow fall the Overthorpe Park field passed a morning examination to allow the Trojans to take on the Students of Leeds Metropolitan University in the First Round of the Carnegie Rugby League Cup.

The thaw set in perfectly to see the snow melt away and the two teams battle to the end in this pulsating tie.

There was an early score for the Trojans through winger Michael Stewart when he latched onto a Richard Bostock pass to squeeze in at the corner.

The initial break had been created by a kick forward by Scott Dyson. After this the University team raised their game to pull away into a clear lead.

The students had clearly done their homework on the Trojans and played to a well worked game play throughout.

Anthony Harris finds it difficult to break through the Leeds Met defence.

They also had an exceptional kicker in Mark McKinley who ensured that despite the Trojans scoring the most tries, it was the visitors who emerged victorious. McKinley was named official Carnegie Man of the Match.

It really was in the first half that the Students set about their National Conference hosts. So much was their dominance in the first half that at one stage they lead 20-4.

The first of the visitors tries was a brilliant sole effort from Chris Clarke when he sold a dummy from the acting half position to send both his markers in the wrong direction. Clarke stepped though the non-existent Trojans defence to cross for a try. Mark McKinley converted.

The student players cheered and the referee pointed to the spot to indicate that Garside had miraculously managed to maintain possession and ground the ball correctly. McKinley converted and the Trojans now had a mountain to climb.

At this point substitute Anthony Broadhead entered the game for Thornhill. Broadhead was making his return to the Trojans team after having served a lengthy ban for head butting. Broadhead’s impact on the run of play was immediate as he galvanised the Trojans and helped make them competitive.

With Broadhead marshalling his team mates the try line came within reach. A series of slick passes ended when Scott Green ran into the line, took the pass and darted over for a try. James Craven converted.

The Broadhead inspired revival continued when Liam Morley did very well to take play close to the try line. Play went on and Thornhill’s man of the match Johnny Campbell ducked under a tackle to dive over for an unconverted try.

It certainly was game on at half time as the Students lead 20-14.

The second half was a real toe to toe battle as the Trojans

tussled to try to gain the upper hand. A Mark McKinley penalty goal strengthened the visitors hold slightly but this was soon cancelled out through a penalty goal from James Craven.

Another McKinley penalty goal kept the scoreboard ticking over before Thornhill scored their fourth try. This try covered over half the length of the field and was created by a chip forward from Scott Dyson. Johnny Campbell picked up the ball and kept the attack alive by passing out to Liam Morley. Morley in turn found Scott Green who then sent James Craven diving in at the corner for an unconverted try. The Students’ lead was now cut to only four points.

However, the sin binning of player-coach Scott Dyson proved to be too much of a handicap for the Trojans and as the full time whistle neared they seem to lose penetration. A penalty goal, this time from Ian Gordon, proved to be the cushion Leeds Met required and for only the second time ever the Trojans failed to make progress beyond their opening game in the Rugby League Cup.

Leeds Met's Rhys Griffith takes one on the chin.

Match report compiled by Andrew Byram. Match Photos Here