Here www.totalrl.com rounds up the latest news from around the amateur game
STAINLAND STAGS won the Rochdale International Nines, seeing off the likes of Manchester Canalsiders, Medway Dragons A, Queensbury and Fitton Hill.
Other sides taking part included hosts Littleborough and Littleborough A, together with Beeston Broncos, Blackpool Stanley, Elland, Folly Lane, Medway Dragons B, Rochdale Cobras, Sharlston Rovers and Wyke.
METHLEY ROYALS, who have returned to the Pennine League after a successful summer in the Yorkshire Men’s League’s Entry Division, are seeking a new Head Coach.
The Castleford outfit are looking for fresh blood following the departure of former Batley Bulldogs and Doncaster second row Adam Scott, who is moving to Liverpool.
Secretary Phil Hodgson said: “Adam has done a superb job nurturing our young side in the last six months, and he will always be welcome at the Royals should he return to the area; he will, we’re sure, be very successful should he choose to take on a coaching role in Cheshire or Lancashire.”
Interested applicants should contact Hodgson, in strict confidence, at hogleague@aol.com, or by calling him on 077 8698 0909.
A Brotherton Bulldogs Select team will take on Redhill Select on Saturday (5 September, 1.00pm) in a James Backhouse Memorial Match.
James Backhouse, a former Redhill Junior, was killed in action in Afghanistan six years ago.
Food and beer will be available on the day.
KINGSTONE Press Cider National Conference League bosses are to investigate an alleged incident in the Division One game between Elland and Shaw Cross Sharks nine days ago which left Sharks scrum-half Jordan Anderson with two broken bones in his neck.
Anderson, who sustained the injury in the closing seconds of the first half, carried on playing for the remainder of the game, unaware of its nature.
He is, however, unlikely to turn out again this season, and Shaw Cross have made a formal complaint to the NCL management over the incident, which they allege involved a late challenge on Anderson by Elland forward Cayci Pearson after the scrum-half had kicked on the last tackle.
Shaw Cross PRO Ryan Conway told League Express: “Referee Paul Marklove did not see the incident and thus no retrospective action was taken on Pearson.”
Sharks Head Coach Brett Turner added: “It is disappointing – players need more protection.
“It was a reckless challenge off the ball and I think referee in recent games have, because we’ve been winning quite easily, been letting the opposition get away with a bit more than they would normally.”
He continued: “The lads need protecting. We spoke to the referee when it was starting to get heated at Elland and explained that these boys aren’t professional players – they still have work on Monday.
“Jordan can’t be replaced but at this moment my main concern is his welfare, making sure he’s ok, and if and when he can get back to work. As a team you’re always going to pick up injuries so we’ll be fine.”
Anderson said: “Obviously it’s disappointing that I can’t be out there with the lads. I don’t know what the plan is moving forward with my recovery – that is something I’ll find out about soon.
“The medics confirmed that there aren’t bad breaks in my neck, because they weren’t around my spinal cord. They just have to keep an eye on me because at the front of my neck there’s a bone that’s chipped but not moved. If it moves they have to put a pin through it.
“At the time it didn’t feel broken. Our physio, Rob Stephenson, put me through all the tests and I was adamant I was going to play on. It felt really sore through the game though, and obviously I now know why.”
Elland substitute Joe Fradgley, meanwhile, was taken to hospital following an apparent spinal injury sustained in the game, which the Sharks won 60-6. He was given the all-clear after a scan.
RFL Competitions Administrator Alan Smith said: “The NCL is investigating the alleged incident and wish both Jordan and Joe Fradgley speedy recoveries. We have made sure the club have been in contact with Steve Ball at RL Cares.”
CHAIR Sue Taylor, were re-elected at the British Amateur Rugby League Association’s annual general meeting.
Leeds & District League official Dougie Smithson, meanwhile, was elected to the Board of Management, together with Anita Helliwell (Oldham) and Stuart Evans (York). Martyn Ward (Castleford & Featherstone) was re-elected.
Former BARLA Chairman Spen Allison (York) was appointed President and Phil Sharpe was elected as Secretary/Treasurer.
It was, in addition, proposed and accepted that any players who sign professional forms but who return to the amateur game having not played any first-team football before the age of 21 will now be eligible for representative selection.
THE Castleford & Featherstone ARL holds its next meeting today (Tuesday 1 September).
The meeting, at Glasshoughton WMC, starts at 7.30pm.
CASTLEFORD PANTHERS aim to see out the Kingstone Press Cider National Conference League’s Division Two campaign.
Panthers’ management committee and coaches received the backing of players at a meeting called last week following the side’s failure to travel to Askam and Oldham St Anne’s recently.
Secretary Irvine Murney told League Express: “We are going to soldier on and finish the season out with the National Conference League.”
He added: “The players have committed to finishing the season and have said they will do this before playing any games for winter leagues or rugby union. They also said knowing all the fixture dates would help.
“Chris Smith is going to coach until the end of the season, as the current coach has resigned. This will give us the chance to find a replacement going forward.”
OLD rivalries between Hunslet Warriors and Milford Marlins were put aside following the recent Kingstone Press Cider National Conference League Division One clash between the two Leeds outfits.
A collection was held on behalf of Warriors player Anthony Martin, who has turned out for Hunslet’s first and second teams this season and who broke his leg in two places whilst playing against East Leeds A earlier this month.
Hunslet official Pam Crosby said: “As always Warriors supporters and players were fantastic and dug deep to donate – but what’s really worthy of mention is that the Milford lads clubbed together to donate over £100 towards Anthony’s fundraiser.
“How good is that? That’s what amateur Rugby League is all about.”
MIRFIELD STAGS are celebrating securing the Yorkshire Men’s League’s Division One title in their first season by moving into a new home at the Mirfield Free Grammar.
The Stags, with the help of Gavin Rhodes Landscapes, have already begun work on initial groundwork and expect to have a perimeter fence installed by today, the last day of August.
Official Ryan Sparks said: “It has been a massive week for the club – securing top spot in the league and work beginning on our new home.
“We are not content to be standing still, and are laying the foundations for a bright future.
“Seeing the work begin on our new home is helping build excitement ahead of our winter campaign.”
Mirfield’s first team has been placed in the Championship Division in the provisional structure drafted by the Pennine League; the second string is in Division Four West.
SCOTLAND Under 19s held a successful Development Day at Edinburgh University ahead of a busy autumn fixture programme.
Players from Devon, Kent and Sussex were among the 26 hopefuls and Head Coach Mark Senter said: “I was very impressed with the overall standard, in particular the performances of a number of players who are new to Rugby League.
“I will be able to select a strong squad for the three matches ahead.”
Scotland’s schedule involves a match against Cumbria at Barrow on Sunday 27 September, followed by a tilt with England Community Lions on Saturday 10 October at Leigh Miners Rangers. Ireland are due to visit, at Edinburgh University, on Saturday 24 October.
WALES UNDER 18S Head Coach Paul Emanuelli has selected 16 local players, with four from Warrington Wolves and two from Widnes Vikings, in his 22-man squad for the game with England Lions at Taff’s Well, Cardiff, on Saturday 26 September.
Emanuelli, who has had 35 players training in the build-up to the fixture, said: “Cutting the squad back to 22 lads has been extremely difficult, and I know it will be just as hard to choose the 17 on the day.
“I’d like to thank everyone that’s given me their time and showed great commitment and enthusiasm at our sessions.
“Unfortunately I can’t pick everyone and that’s the difficult part about being a Head Coach, but now the final squad has been selected I’m excited to get stuck into the last three very important sessions before we go into camp for the England game.”
The squad is: Connor Davies, Curtis Davies, Rhys Davies, Paul Edwards, Ben Jones, Marcus Webb, Zak Williams (all South Wales Scorpions), Lewis Willacott (Aber Valley Wolves), Rhys Brownsell (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Brandon Lamb (Gloucestershire All Golds), George Mbofana (Gower College), Harry Boots, Morgan Jefferies, Shane Lee, Dan Maiden (The Raiders RL), Jake Thomas (Torfaen Tigers), Nathan Ainsworth, Rhys Brunt, Morgan Nicholas, George Shaw (Warrington Wolves), Sion Jones, Connor Parker (Widnes Vikings).
SWILLINGTON STORM have re-formed at Open Age level.
The Storm, who folded six or seven years ago, have joined the Leeds & District League and will compete, this season, in the Pennine League, where they have been offered a berth in Division Four East.
FRYSTON WARRIORS have appointed Danny Bolton and Andy Dobek as coaches.
The duo have taken charge of the Castleford-based outfit with immediate effect, with training sessions scheduled for Wednesday evenings (7.00pm).
All players, new and old, are welcome as the Warriors target success in the Pennine League’s Premier Division, which gets underway on Saturday 19 September.
LAST week’s results in the Leeds Summer Touch competition at Hunslet Hawks were:
Monday 24 August 2015
COMPETITIVE LEAGUE: Heart Breakers 10 Opta Oracles 5; Belle Isle Warriors 7 Peanut Slabs 14; Bootroom Tigers 4 Angry Owls 9.
SOCIAL LEAGUE: Turn Up & Play 9 Feast Leeds 14; Morley Borough 5 PwC Panthers 7; No Scrubs 6 This Girl Can 4; Leeds Bar 10 Copyme 4.
There are no matches today because of the Bank Holiday.
Fixtures for Monday 7 September are:
COMPETITIVE LEAGUE: Well Oiled Flanges v Turn Up & Play (6.00pm); Angry Owls v Opta Oracles (6.45pm); Peanut Slabs v Heart Breakers (7.25pm); Bootroom Tigers v Belle Isle Warriors (8.05pm).
SOCIAL LEAGUE: Copyme v Feast Leeds (6.00); PwC Panthers v This Girl Can (6.45pm); Leeds Bar v No Scrubs (7.25pm); Morley Borough v Turn Up & Play (8.05pm).
Meanwhile the dates for the Winter Indoor Touch competition, which will involve 10 teams, have been confirmed. Games will be played from Monday 12 October to Monday 14 March, and only two places remain – they can be booked by contacting organiser Andrew G Wilson on touch.rugby@leeds.gov.uk (telephone 0113 3950163).