Shaw Cross Sharks 20 v Stanley Rangers 21
Carnegie Challenge Cup, preliminary round
10.01.11

Stanley began their Challenge Cup campaig with a close-fought game against Shaw Cross Sharks, coming out winners in extra time with a golden point.

A Danny Smith try opened the scoring for the Sharks in the tenth minute before Rangers came back strongly with Matty Firth outstanding. Stand-off Gareth Whitehead shot in for a 15-minute try and more tries followed from David Foster and Danny Grice for Rangers to go in at the interval 14-4 ahead.

After the restart, Foster claimed his second try and a Grice goal gave Stanley a 20-4 lead. Shaw Cross came back and on the hour Pat Foulstone scored and then converted his own try, followed by a further try from Chris Proctor. With 2 minutes of time remaining, the home side's Andy Fawkes cut through for a try that Foulstone converted, givng a 20-all score at full time.

That set up extra time and Stanley won the toss, electing to play down the slope. In the second minute, Kevin King scored a drop goal to take the visitors through to the next round.

This coming weekend (17th January), Stanley have a home game against Oldham St Annes.

Shaw Cross Sharks: Tries - Smith, Foulstone, Proctor, Fawkes. Goals Foulstone (2)

Stanley Rangers: Tries - Whitehead, Foster (2), Grice. Goals -Grice (2), DG - King.

Half time: 14-4.

Photos by Jean Reeve