KNIGHTS COMEBACK DENTS SHARKS STORMING START

SHAW CROSS SHARKS 16 V NORMANTON KNIGHTS 22
NATIONAL CONFERENCE RUGBY LEAGUE 1 @ SHARK PARK-LEEDS RD
JUNE 27 2015---2.30PM

SHARK PARK, RUGBY LEAGUE WITH A VIEW

[The We All Stand Together Facebook page has a few more pictures from todays game]
A storming start from Sharks saw them take an early 10-0 lead before Knights second half come back secured the visitors a narrow victory margin.  The home side certainly questioned some of the officials decision and in the end it was Normanton who secured the winning try 5 minutes from time.
So the rugby in a little while but first as usual a bit about the day.  Last week the blog saw Shaw Cross at Salford City Roosters and got into some friendly conversation during this game with the Sharks supporters and when the fixture list for next week declared an interesting local derby against Normanton nights it went ot the top of the 'to do list'.  Indeed last weeks game for Normanton had seen them beat league leaders Ince Rose Bridge so a good game would be in prospect.
A couple of weeks back the blog went for a first visit to Dewsbury Moor Maroons and on the following day took in Batley's game versus Leigh Centurions at Mount Pleasant.  I never realised how closely linked Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett and Wakefield were and in this rugby league area it makes for easy public transport travelling for the 'hopper'.

DEWSBURY RAMS TETLEY PARK

As usual a one hour journey from base brought me to the delights of Wakefield Kirkgate station and onwards to the bus station for the 268a to Dewsbury.  There was a little time for a walk around the town centre and as this was covered a couple of weeks ago I wont re visit it in this blog.  It was not long before the 202 was taking the strain out of Dewsbury up the incline of Leeds Rd passing close by Dewsbury Rugby League Club's old Crown Flatts ground and on to the crossroads were a departure from the Leeds destined service leaves us with a small walk to have a look at the relatively new base for Dewsbury Rams Rugby League Club.  The Tetley Stadium is just a short walk from Shaw Cross and their base so how could the blog not visit a new sports ground.  Although there was not much happening apart from a motorcycle training course the ground looked smart and was quite impressive with a modern stand with executive boxes to the rear, opposite this is a cracking steep terrace, looks like one to put on the future to do list.

SHARKS CLUB HOUSE

A reversal of journey to our original destination of course Shaw Cross Sharks Rugby League Club just off Leeds Rd the club has a fine and impressive two storey building with bar, dance floor and separate private function room in the top floor and the changing rooms on the first floor.  Upon arrival just after 1pm the bar area and function room was jam packed following the juniors games and it always amazes me the tremendous work that goes on around rugby league clubs for a wide variety of age groups.  There was even presentations and speeches at the end for all the lads who were smartly turned out in their Siddall and Shaw Cross leisure wear. 
As ever the bar area is awash with rugby league memorabilia including the story of Shaw Cross and their formation in the 1940's and a superb picture of the 47/48 side.
Last weeks pleasantries from the Shaw Cross officials and supporters certainly helped me in making the decision to visit their home the superbly named Shark Park and today upon arrival I was again warmly greeted by one of my conversationalists from the Salford game.  The club is situated away from the pitch which is probably around 1/4 of a mile away down Leeds Road.  Shark Park is a public area that is unfortunately not an enclosed ground, more to support this comment later.

SHARK PARK AN OVERVIEW DURING THE FIRST HALF

As usual the blog likes to gain the team and thanks to the Normanton match day official/secretary he supplied me with this after re writing the feint photocopy, thanks!
The pitch can be accessed by a gate to the rear of Shaw Cross Infant School but the blog chose to stroll down the main road which runs parallel to the ground and pop over the road to the Londis service station for a little confectionery. 
The park area has three pitches, two with short cut height posts and the main pitch which is nearest the road side is well kept and railed around all four sides with as is appearing normally in rugby league the dug outs on opposite sides.  The pitch is not floodlight and has no scoreboard although it is grass standing all the way around there is a steadily slopping grass bank to the road side offering a commanding view of the game and onwards towards Batley on this hot afternoon.
During the pre match I caught up with a few more people who stopped by for a chat and I have to say there was a welcoming and friendly feel again to this club its players and supporters.

SECURE VANTAGE POINT FOR THE SHARKS VIDEO

As mentioned earlier its a shame the ground is not enclosed because it stops the club from taking an admission which normally at £2.50 to £3 does not break the bank for most supporters and often encourages them to pop into the clubhouse for a courteous drink too.  Today the fine weather brought out around 100 people to watch the game and even encouraged at one stage two ice cream vans to set up roadside for the battle of the 99's.  The clubs excellent programme was doing the rounds at £2 and sad to say a lot of people seemed to not purchase it and do the tapping of pockets 'no money on me dance'.  Further to make up the normal admission is a raffle at £1 a ticket and unbelievably the same dance seemed to be in favour again with some people.  It really amazes me how do people think clubs run and when you have one that is clearly trying its best and providing some quality rugby why they cannot produce a £1 every couple of weeks must frustrate the hard working club officials.
Both clubs were videoing the game today with the trusted Normanton camera in its box on tripod I remember that from a visit to the Knights before the blog this was perched at the top of the grass bank.  While Sharks went for the old style clamber up on top of the home dug out viewing gantry!

STEADY LADS

The game seemed to come around all too quickly and that was probably the way Normanton felt when after 19 minutes they were 10-0 down and they seemed to have struggled to get off the bus with Sharks bossing the game,  Adam Masson went over on 12 minutes and on 19 minutes Aiden Kaye made it 8-0 before Will Poching converted to make it 10-0.  Normanton stormed right back into the game on 24 minutes when Tom Alexander drove over and Adrian Mulchay kicked over to pull the deficit back to just 4 points.
HT 10-6
Within the first 15 minutes of the second half James Evans went over in the left hand corner and Mulchay converted again this time with the help if the post to give the Knights a 12-10 lead.

WILL POCHING GOES OVER FOR SHAW CROSS



AND THEN THE DANCE

Shaw Cross seemed to have weathered the storm and when a grubber kick through from Jordan Anderson and it was Will Poching who pounced first to crash over and with Casey Johnson converting from in front of the posts it was Shaw Cross who were in the lead again 16-12.


AND THE CONVERSION

 

Never write off a Normanton side and indeed they levelled it up at 16-16 on 70 minutes when Evans went over in the right hand corner.  At this point it looked a tight angle from the touchline for the conversion and bearing in mind the last one needed the aid of the post it would be a good effort to take the lead with this one.  The blog was away at the opposite touchline at this time and did think the kick had gone wide but both touch judges signalled for the conversion however when moving back around the touchline everybody was up in arms saying the kick was well wide. 

THERES LITTLE MOVEMENT ALLOWED FOR HERE

This seemed to unsettle the home side and then just 5 minutes from time Knights Connor Wilson went over in the far right corner to secure a 22-16 victory on referee Dean Bowmer's final whistle shortly after.



JONNY KIRK HANGS ON FOR THE KNIGHTS

A tense and interesting game from two of the leagues best sides todays winners were strong and determined after a slow start but Shaw Cross will undoubtedly feel hard done by but their free flowing attacking rugby should allow them to recover from this little setback.
At half time and just before the final whistle their was time to have a little catch up with Sharks PR man Ryan Conway who was busy tweeting and then at the end interviewing a selection of players for the clubs creditable social media outlets.
The return journey to Dewsbury and then Wakefield was all on time allowing the blog a chance to sample a KFC before the 15 minute walk back to Kirkgate for the train back to base.
A beautiful afternoon, weather wise, allowed for a good and enjoyable game which saw both teams provide good entertainment. 
Thanks to Shaw Cross Sharks the blog has enjoyed its little journey with you will be watching your results and hopes to see you again soon in match action.

TEAM TALK AT THE END OF PLAY FOR SHAW CROSS