Game 1 took place on a sunny afternoon at Dewsbury Moor ARLFC between Yorkshire and Cumbria which saw the hosts take an early lead before Cumbria came back to lead at the break, after the sides had traded six pointers a Joe Roper penalty on 78 minutes ensured the spoils went to the visitors.
Yorkshire made a great start and it was no surprise when Brad Llewellyn crossed for the opener and Kieran Lawton converted the first of his three from three goals.
Cumbria woke up and had a period of pressure and James Ennis leveled the game with a try converted by Joe Roper which was followed by a try from Jack Stevens to give the visitors a 10-6 half time lead.
In a tit for tat game Yorkshire regained their lead doubling their score for a two point lead with a try from Jack Rowbotham before their discipline let them down as Joe Maloney went for a ten minute rest.
It proved to be a crucial ten minutes for the hosts as they scored eight points during that period. Banks tip toed through the Yorkshire defence and Roper added the extras as well as a penalty for an 18-12 lead.
Back on equal parity it became the game became a battle of possession and territory by both sides and Yorkshire were jubilant when Callum Worsnop went over for his side’s third converted try to level it at 18 all.
A draw would have been a fair result but nothing is fair in the BARLA Three Counties Championship at any age group and so it proved two minutes from time as the visitors were awarded a penalty twenty metres out centre field. Roper kept his nerve to chip over to give his side the decisive lead.
Yorkshire threw the kitchen sink at Cumbria but the visitors held firm to win the game take the two points and lead the table.
Steve Manning
BARLA Media Manager
