Blackbrook 14 Thornhill 16 TWO controversial decisions and the width of an upright, provided the drama in the dying minutes of a tough BNFL National Cup fourth round tie.

The Dewsbury-based outfit were made to battle every inch of the way by a spirited Blackbrook side who came from behind on two occasions in the fist half to lead 12-10 at the interval. Blackbrook remained in the lead until Sean Senior levelled the scores with his third goal of the game on 64 minutes.

But two controversial decisions in the space of three minutes as extra time loomed, snuffed out Blackbrook's superb effort. With three minutes left, a visiting player was stopped near the home 20-metre area. On regaining his feet he lost control of the ball and fouled his marker. But the referee penalised the marker instead. However, the easy penalty goal attempt drifted wide.

But worse was to follow for the homesters as they defended their line in the last minute. A drop goal attempt by stand-off Martin Fox rebounded off an upright, and Brook skipper Phil Smith regained possession. But the visitors were awarded a penalty kick in front of the posts, Sean Senior gratefully accepted the match-winning opportunity.

The visitors had opened the scoring in the third minute when hooker Rob Simpson plunged over from close range. Senior converted. However, Brook recovered to level the scores at six-all on 12 minutes with a Mike Hitchen try goaled by Ian Callaghan. The visitors regained the initiative seven minutes later, when Sean Senior punished another lapse with a 35-metre run to the corner. However, the wingman was prevented from grounding the ball but eventually got downward pressure on the ball at the third attempt. The referee overruled the touch judge and awarded the try.

But Blackbrook hit back when Ian Callaghan landed a penalty.

Two minutes later, wingman Derek Hardman opened up the visitors defence with a delightful little grubber kick to the line and followed up to get the touchdown to put Blackbrook 12-10 ahead at the interval.

Callaghan edged Brook further ahead with a 54th minute penalty goal, but the game was soon back on a knife's edge when Sean Senior replied with two similar efforts on 56 and 64 minutes respectively to level the scores at 14-all.

But a controversial penalty goal in the last minute of the game proved to be the deciding factor and ended Brooks National Cup aspirations for this season.

Blackbrook/Construction Power Services man of the match accolade went to loose forward Steve Marsh, with stand off Mike Hitchen a very close contender. West Hull under 18s 16

Blackbrook 10

Lapses in concentration cost Brook dear in a physical encounter.

Their tries came from Honey and James Shuttleworth, with Shaw adding a conversion.

Widnes St Maries under 15s 12

Blackbrook Royals 30

Proctor and Gamble man of the match Liam Williams (2), Danny Atherton (2), and Mark Leonard got the tries with Mark Gibson, Phil Anderton, David Bamber, Warren Taylor and John Clough all impressing.

Royals under 14s 16 Langworthy 30

A length of the field try by Neil Pearson was the highlight of a battling performance from short handed Royals. Ste Rawsthorne and Ste Owen also got on the scoresheet while Chris Parkinson, Liam Bostock and Richie Arnold also impressed. Ashton Bears under 13s nil Royals 14

This win against the only side to have beaten them in the league this season leaves Royals three games from the Premier Division title. After a scoreless first half a superb hat-trick from centre Craig Littler which earned him the BICC Components man of the match, enabled Royals to take the spoils. Fast improving Kelvin Walkden was in close contention.

Hindley under 12s nil Royals 14

Supervisions man of the match Joey Dixon, Paul Holland and Simon Dixon got the tries.

Royal under 11s 30 Hindley nil

Dean McGilvary (3), Scott Holland (2), Chris Brown, Liam Armson and Paul Johnson all scored with Martyn Bradshaw taking the Francos man of the match award and Mike Webster was top tackler.

Royals under nines 24 Hindley 18

Man of the match Shaun Magennis (2), Jamie Foster and Liam Brown were the try scorers.

Royals under eights 38 Hindley 8

Vox man of the match Thomas Johnson led the way as Royals had a comfortable victory.

Liam Taylor, Kyle Stevenson, Danny Leach, Owen Livesey, Josh Cieslar, Luke Davies, Robert Murphy and Ben Topping all got on the scoresheet while Ryan Liptrot was most improved.

Woolston under sevens 16

Royals 40

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