Match abandoned after two mass brawls

Saturday's Pennine League match between Division Four title rivals Kinsley Raiders and Siddal ended in ugly scenes.
The match was abandoned in the 58th minute.The match was abandoned in the 58th minute.
The match was abandoned in the 58th minute.

The open-age RL game will have to be replayed after it was abandoned in the 58th minute following two mass brawls with Siddal leading 18-16.

The match was played at a high tempo from the outset, with both teams viewing it as a crucial fixture in the title battle.

Kinsley took a 10-0 lead.

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Rob Braithwaite spotted a gap on the blindside to set up a try for Jordan Taylor before Stu Stogden hit a superb line off Stu Moran’s short pass to grab a try that Lewis Stogden goaled.

Siddal hit back to the cut the gap to two points before half-time.

They snatched a 14-10 lead early in the second period when their full-back scored a magnificent solo try.

Kinsley bounced back to regain the lead with outstanding rugby. They showed great skill in attack and defended excellently, with Adam Cooke, Lee Trigg and Ben Lyons to the fore.

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Lewis Stogden converted his own try to put them back in front but Siddal then nosed ahead again with a 50th minute try which proved to be the last score of the game.

A high tackle on Kinsley captain Dave Stogden ruffled the Raiders’ feathers and resulted in a 26-man brawl.

It led to Stu Stogden being sent off for punching but to Kinsley’s amazement the original high tackle went unpunished, apart from a penalty.

From the resulting tap re-start, Kinsley prop Cooke took the first drive in. Tempers were still high and a small skirmish started between Cooke and Siddal’s hooker which culminated in a second mass brawl which saw the referee abandon the game.

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Cooke won the Kinsley Timber MOM award, closely followed by Trigg and Dave Stogden who won the Neil Martin top tackler accolade.

Kinsley thanked match day sponsor Marvel Gardens for their support.

On Saturday, Kinsley visit Wyke A in a league fixture.

Upton won 44-12 at Sharlston Rovers in last Saturday’s Championship game.

Upton, who host Stainland Stags this weekend, are level on points at the top of the table with unbeaten Fryston Warriors who have three matches in hand. Fryston have a home game against St Joseph’s on Saturday.

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In Division One, Cutsyke Raiders travel to Whinmoor Warriors. Brotherton Bulldogs will aim to bounce back from a 26-0 defeat at Ossett Trinity Tigers when they host Newsome Panthers in Division Two on Saturday.

In Division Three, Allerton Bywater travel to Dewsbury Celtic following a 22-16 home defeat against Moorends Thorne Marauders last weekend.