STANNINGLEY SWEEP ASIDE SKIRLAUGH

STANNINGLEY 56 SKIRLAUGH 0
NCL1 @ THE ARTHUR MILLER STADIUM
13 JULY 2019 --- 2.30PM

AN AFTERNOON OF TRIES FOR STANNINGLEY RLFC

With ten tries and eight of them converted without reply this was a stunningly successful afternoon for Stanningley against their East Riding opponents who sat just two points ahead of them in the league table before the start of play, in a game that looked all set for a close encounter it proved to be anything but.
The usual Saturday morning departure into West Yorkshire did make me wonder if there are many more of these visits I may become an honorary Yorkshireman but then somebody mentioned I needed another 50 years worth and then I may only just be accepted for associate member.  Seat gained in train doorway this was at least a start and with a delayed 508 to Halifax boarded immediately from the station I was soon bundling down the Kirkstall Road passing the ground of Milford RL and Rhinos training facility.  Having passed Coal Hill Drive the approach to the ground the first point of call was the sponsor of Stanningley RLFC in the next town Farsley, Croft Street Fisheries.

PURVEYORS OF FINE FISH AND CHIPS AND STANNINGLEY SHIRT SPONSORS

The ratings were good for the take away, the premises were small and would not have held a cat swinging competition however you could just about squeeze five people inside to wait and with a queue outside things looked encouraging.  A smart premises with framed Stanningley shirt adorning the wall signalled the correct place and todays example would have the chippy in the play off-zone and a nice piece of fish would certainly see this place on the recommended list.
Taking the twenty minute short cut walk back onto Coal Hill Lane for the summit climb, either way you approach the road that leads to the ground you have a nice steep walk, having finally found a bin to deposit takeaway wrappings the ground was within a few hundred yards.

THE IMPRESSIVE ENTRANCE

The Arthur Miller Stadium had always bemused me was the American playwright remembered after a stay many years ago with Marilyn Monroe what a great story but it was to be a story wide of the mark.  The said gentleman was a President of the club and deputy Leeds City Council leader plus an initial founder of the first clubhouse in 1983.  A move to the current base in 2003 via selling of the old clubhouse and Sport England funding had left the club with an impressive facility that from my NCL travels is definitely right up at the top.

THE GAP CLOSES FOR STANNINGLEY ON THIS OCCASION

A smart clubhouse greets you with function rooms a plenty, a kitchen which served match day food and of course the all important bar.  Entrance was £2.50 with the programme available in hard copy and online, if you preferred, during the afternoon the lofted scoreboard was operated well alongside a PA system, this club had got it spot on what a great effort and something clearly all NCL clubs should strive to achieve.

STANNINGLEY ACHIEVE LIFT OFF

The ground itself is surrounding by neatly fenced off further pitches but the main pitch has a hard standing walkway all around with on three sides selected levels of bank views offering a additional commanding view of proceedings, all the pitch is neatly railed off and overall with a smart playing surface barring a 150 seat canvas stand its as good as Championship side Sheffield Eagles OLP ground.

LIAM COPLAND SETS OFF

With teams gained smoothly thanks to a visiting Skirlaugh official there was plenty of time to watch pre match warm ups and it looked on paper a close tie but having lost on the away trip Stanningley would be looking for a home victory on the back of a strong win at Normanton last time out.
What we saw was a side that simply swept Skirlaugh aside with eight different try scorers backed up by having eight of the ten converted by Liam Copland.  Leading 20-0 at lemons with tries from Eddie Crossland after Copland had run all but the full length off the pitch to offload to him, Sam Savage, Jack Sykes and Luke Townend the visitors frustrations showed with a sin bin just before half time.
The second period would prove even more costly for Skirlaugh who on a sultry afternoon and struggling to get into the game saw a selection of their players and staff seem to lose their discipline and this all helped overall to give Stanningley and their enthusiastic crowd the will to continue the scoring stream.

THE GAPS ARE OPENING UP NOW FOR STANNINGLEY TO EXPLOIT

Over the whitewash in the second half went Copland after flying down the right, Thomas Kent, Tyler Hart with a brace, Crossland for his second, and Dion Henry.  The second half frustrations had got to the visitors with a couple more sin bins as the referee had to separate a few 'coming togethers'.

SECOND HALF GREETINGS

You are never quite sure how well and with what strength of side some teams travel away bit this was an overwhelming victory that sets up Stanningley for next weeks 130 year celebration with their home game versus local rivals Milford.
During the second half it was good to catch up with club photographer Terry and learn some more about this club and their impressive set up which further added to my visit.
With the weather set fair a departure just down the road to Farsley Cricket Club, a place were I had only visited a couple of weeks ago, saw Townville chasing 179 to win after the home side struggled to just over 3 an over.  Much like last week at Wrenthorpe the visitors today made light work of the score with 180 for 4 being reached with just 32 overs used J booth made 82 and H Warwick 44 in a second wicket partnership of 78 that put them on their way.  Mr Raymond Illingworth Farsley Club President was once again in attendance and at 87 years young just last month he was still enjoying the cricket at his home town club a pleasure to see his involvement.  With a short rain delay in the reply it was a fitting end to the day to witness the second innings of this Bradford Cricket League Premier fixture.
Return bus from Farsley to Leeds station allowed departure at 8pm and after crossing the Yorkshire border before visa checks I was back in peak county just short of 9.30pm.