DETERMINED LOCK LANE SINK THE MINERS

CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE 27 V LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 24
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
@HICKSONS ARENA LOCK LANE 16 MAY 2015 --- 2.30PM


HICKSONS ARENA HOME OF LOCK LANE

With one more football game to cover, this Tuesday's Alma cup final at Chesterfield FC, it was time for the blog to take up some summer alternative sport.  Well where better than my introduction to summer rugby league than Lock Lane?  Lock Lane was my introduction to The National Conference League on my debut visit last season and so its a club that I have taken an interest in following of their results even when the football season is still on going.  For my first visit this season a mouth watering trip for the visit of Leigh Miners, although early in the season this game is already a 2nd v 4th match.

Todays game was an enterprising affair played on a cold to the hands afternoon in a swirling blustery wind which probably led to some of the errors.  A storming start from Lock Lane saw two tries and conversions give them a 12 points to nil lead before Leigh matched their efforts to level the scores, but by half time Lane had taken the lead 21 to 12 including a drop goal late in the first period. 

CHRIS SIDDONS POWERS FORWARD FOR LOCK LANE

The second period was a tense affair until the visitors got a firm grip on the game to force a 24-21 lead and Lock Lane looked very much as though they had not come out of the changing room for the second period.  However Lane re-gathered their efforts and a try from Chris Siddons and conversion from the consistent Danny Rowse 10 minutes from time gave them what proved to be a 27-24 victory which they fought very hard to retain under pressure from Leigh in the remaining minutes.

LOCK LANE CONVERSION MAKES IT 27-24

There is a little about the game, without I'm sorry too many names from the 80 minutes. 

SMALL DISAGREEMENT ENSUES

SECOND HALF CHANGING ROOM DEPARTURES

It was a Saturday and quite an experience not to be in Wales and todays journey was a much later start from base with a change at Sheffield for a good old rattling 'Pacer' train to Castleford.  The blog had visited Castleford twice before for Lock Lane fixtures and sadly the first time got drenched in a torrential downpour and on the second occasion experienced thunder storms.  Well today was blustery and cold and on the sharp walk to the ground through the busy town centre we crossed over Wheldon Road the base forastleford's Super League club the Tigers.  The narrow bridge before our short approach to Lock Lane's ground has a lovely view of the weir and former flour mill to the left. 
Upon arrival at the ground, which his based at the Lock Lane Leisure Centre, we climb the stairs to the bar area and bump into the gateman who is just about to descend to the front door for his duties.  We pay the £2.50 entrance fee which also obtains us a 20 page programme, this is one of the bonuses of the NCL that all clubs should issue a programme.

CHRIS SIDDONS GETS THE BRUISE STRAPPED UP

While in the bar we of course sampled a chip cob and today had beans on it due to a shortage of peas, although the request for peas did leave the catering staff questioning our sanity.  To access pitch side you climb down a narrow internal staircase and walk through some access gates onto the pitch.

THE BRUISE

The near side has the two dugouts on them with a little separation between both teams and too the left as you enter the pitch is the outdoor bar area were a variety of Lock Lane officials replenish the supporter.  The pitch is fully railed off and the far side offers a good view of proceedings with the leisure centre as a back drop, behind this standing area is a grassed area that was used for pre match warm ups todays.  The ground also has floodlights and overall is a functional affair although like most rugby league grounds at NCL level lacks cover for spectators.
Before the start of the game it was good to see the Siddons brothers still playing for Lock Lane and indeed quite shocking to see Chris getting a massive bruise on his thigh patched up apparently he had collided with one of the posts behind the goals the previous week, tough guys these rugby league players.
Also good to see today was the 'lady' who goes round selling the raffle and also works the outdoor bar she is always a welcoming figure with plenty of banter if you want it and today we both, of course purchased a meat raffle ticket-thankfully we didn't win it or we could have had a problem on the train back with a tray of meat!

DAVE AND PETE HOPPING TO RUGBY LEAGUE FROM DERBYSHIRE

Just before todays game was due to start we also spotted to fellow hoppers Dave and Pete from Chesterfield who it was a pleasure to see and catch up with during the game.  I said last season that some of the NCL clubs are missing a trick and I'm sure if they put a little advertising out through the local non league football clubs etc they would pick up some fans and hoppers alike looking to take in some reasonably priced and good standard summer sport.
At the end of the 80 minutes we had an hours before our train back over the border and a sample of fish cake and chips was made at Pappas chippy in Castleford. 

MEAT RAFFLE TICKETS PURCHASED

Back at Castleford station which is now joined by the close by new Bus station, very impressive it is too, we realised the train was running a little late.  But after whiling away the extra minutes discussing the proposed rugby league summer ventures it wasn't long before yet another 'pacer' train was rattling its way into platform 1 of 1.

Base was made just before 1830 and the blog had enjoyed the visit to Lock Lane and hopefully the start of some entertaining rugby league for the summer of 2015.
[The blog will hopefully cover a few rugby league and cricket games over the summer before returning to football around the end of July, hopefully you will pop by to take a look at these visits as there are some cracking clubs and grounds to review]

HERE'S OUR LOVELY PACER ARRIVING AT PLATFORM 1