John Mooney: Myton Warriors v West Hull
West Hull earned the city bragging rights, at least until next week, with a 30-6 victory over a disappointing Myton Warriors in the NCL Premier Division at Cranbrook Avenue. The teams meet again on Saturday in a rearranged fixture and the Warriors will need to improve dramatically to reverse the result.
After their excellent away victory at Rochdale Mayfield, Myton were confident of toppling their local rivals, especially as they looked to have a much stronger line-up than had been seen for most of the season. However, in a scrappy first quarter played in front of Freesport cameras, the home side rarely ventured out of their own half due to a tremendous defensive effort from the Green and Golds, who were dominating the forward battle.
Without their regular starting half-backs, the returning Danny Nicklas slotted in seamlessly as did Rich Wilkinson alongside him and it was the latter who broke the deadlock with a jinking run that took him over the line, close enough for Rob Wilson to convert. With Lee James in the sin-bin for a professional foul, Wests took full advantage right on the half-time whistle when the strong-running Jack Lazenby powered over and this time Scott Spaven converted.
The Warriors needed a quick second-half score to get them back on track but with their forwards being overpowered, half-backs Natty Slater and Kris Walker couldn't find an attacking platform and it was no great surprise when Wests extended their lead when a superb passing movement saw Ben Arbon cross. Spaven again added the extras and it was an uphill battle for the home side from now on. Former Warrior Jack Watts then got over the line after a superb Wilkinson offload and though Slater got a converted score back it was too little too late and West Hull wrapped up the scoring with unconverted tries from Josh Nicklin, whose leap for a high kick was too much for the home defence, and Watts again after collecting a rebounded kick and sprinting clear.
Both fullbacks, Nathan Hill and Ryan Mazzara played very well while Myton props Lee Fewlass, Aaron Pearce and Ash Shaw never took a backward step against a powerful Wests pack in which Bobby Tyson-Wilson was right back to his best, Louis Crowther tackled everything that moved as usual and Nathan Powley made hard yards from the ruck.
In Division One Skirlaugh move into fifth after a thumping 72-16 victory over bottom club Shaw Cross Sharks but Dockers lost 16-32 at home to East Leeds in Division Two. Beverley remain unbeaten in Division Three after travelling to Salford City Roosters and coming away with a 42-22 victory.