Pilkington Recs sealed back-to-back victories after a dramatic win against Skirlaugh in East
Hull.
It was a frantic start, with three tries coming in the first ten minutes.
The first went to Skirlaugh, after a kick to the corner went to ground and the centre was able
to pick up the loose ball and score. The kick was good, extending the hosts’ lead to six
points.
But with six minutes on the clock, Pilks responded. They used the wind to their advantage,
taking the ball back from the kick off. After then being able to force a couple of repeat sets,
they forced the ball out to the left-hand side and George Hannan was able to get through a
gap to score. Kyran Knapper couldnt convert, meaning Pilks still trailed by two points.
Just two minutes later, Skirlaugh provided an instant response. A booming pass out wide put
the winger through, and he passed inside for his centre to score. Once again, the kick was
good.
Before the half was out, the hosts added a third. Following a lengthy stoppage following an
injury to a Skirlaugh player, they were able to work it out wide on the last tackle, and the
winger found the floor to score. The kick was good, meaning it was 18-4 at the break.
The second half started out as a battle of attrition, as both sides were looking for the
advantage. Skirlaugh were playing into the wind in the first half and took advantage, and
Pilks were hoping this would play into their hands in the second half.
Pilks started the fight back just past the hour mark. Tom Connick aimed a delicate kick
through the middle, two Skiralugh players collided going for it, and Warren Palladino picked
up the loose ball and scored under the sticks. Knapper converted to reduce the deficit to
eight points.
Just eight minutes later, the fight back was well and truly on. A penalty gave Pilks the field
position, and Hannan was able to get over for his second, after we spread the ball out.
Knapper converted to set up the grandstand finish.
With just a few minutes left on the clock, the dramatic winning try came. On the last tackle,
Pilks tried to force their hand, and brilliantly kept the ball alive.
Jon Key bumped off a tackle, and gave the ball to Elliot Martin, who attacked the line and put
Tyrese Daley over to spark wild celebrations with the Pilks travelling contingent. Knapper
couldnt convert.
That meant Pilks had to survive one more play from Skirlaugh, and they did, which secured
a second win in a row, having got their first win on the road at Dewsbury Celtic last week.
They return to Ruskin Drive on Saturday, with Hensigham the visitors.