Thornhill Trojans slipped further into relegation trouble with this disappointing defeat at Siddal. The Halifax side showed no festive spirit as they took advantage of some key missed tackles from the visitors to open up a comfortable winning margin in the second half.

The game was played almost throughout in appalling conditions. Heavy driving rain, swirling winds and a plummeting temperature meant that very few spectators stayed the full duration of the game. Those who did stay until the end saw two perishing teams leave the field of play and hot foot it to the shelter of the changing rooms.

Man of the match for Thornhill was substitute Rob Copley who entered the game just short of the half hour mark.  During his time on the field Copley made a major impact and despite the conditions remained enthusiastic about the task in hand. Copley’s experience and enthusiasm were vital to the Thornhill team which contains more and more youngsters as the season wears on.

Debutant Richard Bostock is held up on a charge.

The Thornhill team on show included two players, Richard Bostock and Michael Stewart making their Conference debuts These two players linked up with the more “experienced” James Craven and Ben Kendall to complete an all teenage three quarter line for the Trojans. The game also saw a first start at this level for Joss Ratcliffe at scrum half.

The game started with Thornhill playing down the slope with the driving rain and wind behind them. The visitors seemed initially to make good use of the conditions to gain good field position. Telling kicks from Joss Ratcliffe pinned Siddal in their own half.

However, with the game little more than ten minutes old Siddal took advantage of a missed tackle from Thornhill right on the half way mark. The Thornhill defence had been exposed and Siddal charged up the slope towards the try line. Play was kept alive and eventually Shaun Blackburn scored an unconverted try in the corner.

Straight from the restart it was a shaken Thornhill team that was penalised for holding down two long in the tackle. From this penalty it was another missed tackle from Thornhill which gifted Siddal with a scoring opportunity. Siddal players were on hand in numbers to support the attack which was finished by Chris Marsh crossing for an unconverted try.

It was just before half time that Thornhill finally got on the score sheet. This came straight from a scrum down in Thornhill’s half of the field. As the ball came out of the scrum Jason Firth put a long kick down the slope. James Craven chased the kick down field and out paced his opposite number. Craven pounced on the ball to complete a well worked move from the Trojans. Craven converted his own try and the Trojans trailed by two points at the interval.

The second half was a real endurance test for the Thornhill players. Playing up the slope in the mud, with the wind and rain in their faces, the conditions were a real test of character.

Siddal's Scott Law goes on a typical rampaging run through the heart of the Trojans defence.

Despite the conditions it was Thornhill who scored first in the second half to take a morale boosting lead. The try was created from short range when a pass from Richard Pachniuk found Matthew Roberts right on the try line. Roberts did very well to take the pass and retain his composure before reaching down to score an unconverted try.

Now in front from the first time Thornhill were buzzing, but this renewed self belief was short lived when almost immediately Siddal hit back with a try. From the restart Thornhill dropped the ball and the referee called for a scrum down. From the scrum Siddal performed a run around and the ball ended with Pete Duggan running out wide and over for an unconverted try.

Siddal then kicked a penalty goal through Shaun Blackburn when Thornhill held down too long in the tackle. This was followed by another penalty goal when Thornhill failed to drop the ball out a sufficient distance from under their posts. Shaun Blackburn kicked his third goal of the game.

With the game now slipping away from Thornhill and the wet conditions making handling very difficult, attention turned increasingly towards the referee and when he was going to blow his whistle for full time.

As the referee allowed the players to battle on Siddal made one final raid down the slope. Thornhill were forced to once again drop out from between their posts. The sustained pressure from Siddal finally forced Thornhill to crack and Dave Spivey went over for an unconverted try in the corner.

The referee finally blew for time to put the rain sodden players and few remaining spectators out of their misery.

Match report compiled by Andrew Byram. Match Photos Here