Tykes showcase second-half superiority in a 64 point thriller

Saturday 7th May 2022

The Report

There were over 11 tries in this exhilarating 32-32 tie at West Park in the closing game of the season. Tykes had struggled to get going in the first half, with Cinderford leading 24-5 at half time from a forward masterclass. But Tykes, who have already confirmed their place in the division next year, came back in incredible fashion scoring 5 tries in the second half.

It took Cinderford only 3 minutes to score through the prop Nathan Taylor and for Michael Austin to add the extras. But the Leeds response was imminent as the right winger James Magee stepped the Cinderford defence twice. The conversion in front of the posts was missed but nobody was to know these points would be decisive.

The rest of the first half seemed to be all about Cinderford, following a Michael Austin try from a 20metre driving mall in the 9th minute. The next two tries on 20 and 31 minutes gave Austin his second try and allowed Taylor to equal the 27 tries score by Benjamin Brownlie at the top of the leaderboard.

Tykes came out stronger than Cinderford in the second half, showing their superior fitness levels. In the 57th minute the ever in-form Andrew Lawson scored in the corner. A simple run in for a try from the Cinderford full back in the same minute was then followed by a Tykes 7point score, coming from a certain Andrew Lawson. And more was to come from Tykes.

Tykes scored in the corners 3 more time in the match, from Hardman, Ademakin and Smith, during which Cinderford could muster only 3 more points. The jubilation of the Smith try in the final minute as he drew the scores equal, was evident. Tykes may rue having not made more of the failed restart from Cinderford afterwards but they can be proud of the gutsy performance against a 5th placed Cinderford. A run of pleasing results and performances to close the season, will give Tykes something to build on in the 2022/23 season.