WEST HULL 44 INCE ROSE BRIDGE 16
PHIL HODGSON, ​OneBore Stadium, Castleford, Saturday

THE National League’s Premier Division minor premiers firmly got the wheels back on the wagon, after the previous week’s disappointing Grand Final defeat at the hands of Hunslet ARLFC, with a victory over the North West Counties Conference runners-up.

​West Hull’s triumph owed much to an early blitz in which a 24-0 lead was established midway through the first half – and to winger Eligh Wilkinson, who collected the Tom Keaveney Wilkinson Sword man of the match award for five memorable tries.

Ince confirmed their qualities by recovering to only 14 points adrift early in the second period, and a further try to the Wigan outfit at that stage could have put the Green and Golds under real pressure. But that man Wilkinson steadied his side with his hat-trick score, and gallant Ince never quite recovered.

Wilkinson opened the scoring in the third minute, beating two defenders from a chance created by Elliott Jones.

Jack Sanderson hit an upright from wide out but, just three minutes later, Wests were 10-0 up, Sanderson hitting the target after Josh Oliver crossed off Sonny Cooper’s pass.

​The lead was extended to 14 points when Cooper and Jack Potter linked to send Wilkinson over – Sanderson once more being thwarted by the woodwork – and from the restart Elliott Jones dotted down after Peter Valentine had fumbled his kick-through.

Sanderson was again off target but Potter, taking over kicking duties, improved a try by Oscar Ellington, who sailed through a huge gap created by Oliver.

Ince opened their account when winger Callum Hughes rose above Wilkinson off Kieron Eccleston’s cross-field kick, the former goaling.

Hughes claimed his second try two minutes after the resumption, rounding Wilkinson after Mason Fillingham and Valentine had combined.

Ecclestone couldn’t improve and, after the Bridge had been caught offside, Wilkinson coolly collected Josh Wood’s kick to cross out wide.

Potter’s conversion stymied Ince’s rally and, after a penalty awarded for a ball steal, the Green and Golds notched a vital try as the hour-mark beckoned, Oliver crashing in and Potter improving.

Fillingham hit back by hacking on his own kick-through and being first to the touchdown – Eccleston goaling – but the closing stages belonged to Wests and Wilkinson, the 19-year-old nipping over off Potter’s pass and subsequently beating four defenders in a dazzling raid; Potter was unable to goal either score from wide out.

Wilkinson admitted: “I just play what’s in front of me, by instinct really, but I have to give credit to those inside. Without them I’d be starved of opportunities.”

His coach, Ryan Steen, said: “It’s good to finish what has been a great season on a high. It would have been very unpleasant to have lost again after the defeat by Hunslet ARLFC.

“We didn’t give Ince a sniff in the early stages but I was never worried, even when they hit back after we started to concede penalties.

“Players such as Oliver Lewis and Corey Priestman gave us plenty of push up front and prevented Ince, who are a quality side, from getting back into the game.”

Bridge coach Darren Blakeley said: “I’m proud of our players, and we can learn a lot from the match. Wests had pretty much a full side out and I’m glad about that because, despite the scoreline, we really did test them.”

GAMESTAR: West Hull’s winger Eligh Wilkinson raced over for five tries.

GAMEBREAKER: Wests’ blistering opening in which a 24-0 lead was established by the 20th minute.

MATCHFACTS

WESTS
1 Jack Potter
2 Kieran Masike
3 Tom Verity
4 Jack Sanderson
5 Eligh Wilkinson
14 Jack Lazenby
7 Elliott Jones
10 Benn Arbon
9 Sonny Cooper
8 Corey Priestman
11 Harry Hutchinson
20 Kian Goodhand
13 Josh Oliver
Subs
6 Josh Wood
15 Oscar Ellerington
19 Ryan Langton
28 Robbie Jones

Tries: Wilkinson (3, 17, 49, 69, 74), Oliver (6, 57), E Jones (18), Ellerington (20)
Goals: Sanderson 1/4, Potter 3/5

BRIDGE
1 Peter Valentine
2 Gareth Jones
3 Kyle Malone
4 Lucas Coan
5 Callum Hughes
6 Kieron Eccleston
7 Mason Fillingham
8 Reece Cunningham
9 Eli Steinberg
10 Ellis Tindall
11 Casey Shaw
12 Lee Jones
13 Matty Gaskell
Subs
15 Kallum Rodgers
16 Callum Wilson
17 Boyd Wilson
18 Jack Morrison

Tries: Hughes (28, 42), Fillingham (60)
Goals: Ecclestone 2/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 10-0, 14-0, 18-0, 24-0, 24-6; 24-10, 30-10, 36-10, 36-16, 40-16, 44-16

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Wests: Eligh Wilkinson; Bridge: Callum Hughes

Penalty count: 8-6
Half-time: 24-6
Referee: Matty Clayton