Old Rishworthians 13-5 Heaton Moor Senior Colts
Heaton Moor Senior Colts’ winning sequence came to an end, going down to a very organised Old Rishworthians side who gained an element of revenge for their defeat at Green Lane in September.
It was a very close encounter and a real challenge for the Moor lads as they begin their league campaign next week.
A number of absentees gave a few of the younger players their opportunity and Charlie Pinhorn at scrum-half caught the eye.
The Halifax side started brightly, Moor being pushed back in their own half, two penalties giving the hosts a six-point lead after the first quarter.
Moor pressurised in the second quarter, a couple of attacking lineouts not quite yielding the desired outcome, Evan Coffey going very close in the corner.
Just before half-time, as Moor were building towards halfway, Old Rishworthians turned over possession and in the space of a few seconds, they had extended their lead with a converted try.
The second half started with the visitors dominant. Jono Glanfield was becoming influential, supported by Coffey and Nick Tenney.
The hosts were proving a very stubborn obstacle though, denying Moor on countless occasions, Andrew Badrock causing a lot of concern for the home side with his strong running.
Moor got a deserved score when Glanfield, showing he also had a stubborn streak, refused to be denied a battling team score, Tenney unsuccessful with the conversion attempt.
The game was now in the melting pot, Moor looking very strong. Dylan Starkie produced a dazzling run, only just denied in the corner when a last-gasp tackle denied him a memorable score.
Rishworthians then seemed to weather the storm and due to some disciplinary setbacks for Moor, were able to close out the last quarter.
Despite the numerical advantage, Moor’s defensive work in the last quarter was colossal.
Emilio Ramirez, in particular, made two brilliant runs from deep and on another day may have resulted with scores but ultimately it was a first defeat in six weeks for the Colts.
Moor welcome Vale of Lune next weekend in the first game of the re-structured Lancashire League.