Last updated at 13:17, Monday, 18 June 2012

Egremont Rangers coach John Brocklebank had no choice but to rely on the club’s Under-18s for their home Conference game with Stanningley Rangers.

With over 15 players out for one reason or another the young side coped well, holding a rejuvenated Stanningley outfit to a 10-point margin, going down 26-16.

Egremont got off to a nervous start with an error from the kick off giving Stanningley the chance to go six points up within two minutes. The visitors could not believe their luck when eight minutes later they were able to double their lead.

Half-backs Rhys Davies and James McDonald combined to put Egremont on the score board. It was McDonald who went in for the try which he calmly converted.

On 21 minutes Stanningley again made the most of their chances and Adam O’Neil pushed their lead to 16-6 with another try.

With half time closing in Egremont began to get some field position as Chris Murphy, Dan Telford and Matt Bewsher led the charge. Their reward came on 33 minutes when the new found half back combination clicked again and this time it was Davies who scored the try, again converted by McDonald.

The second half demonstrated why the coach has such faith in this set of young men. As at no stage did they take a backward step.

It took Stanningley another 32 minutes to score again when their big prop forward crashed over for a try which was converted.

It’s not often in the modern game head coach’s will ask forwards to play 80 minutes but the fitness of young Whalley, Edwards and Bewsher showed how it can be done.

However, on 79 minutes Stanningley added another six points to their lead.

Egremont then forced an error from the re-start it was Hartley and James Newton who created an excellent try in the corner.

Quite a moment, too, for young Newton as he stretched over to score.

First published at 11:30, Monday, 18 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk