Ben Rhydding Vs........4

Rotherham lVs...........1

In their final game of the season Ben Rhydding Fifths were hosts to the winners of the league. In an exhilarating match Rhydding demonstrated complete dominance over the champions and in the process earned themselves the runners-up spot.

The game opened at a very fast tempo both sides displaying the form which had taken them (along with Harrogate) well clear of the rest of the division.

However, it was Rhydding who made the breakthrough. After five minutes they won the first short corner of the match. The ball was played by Woodhead right to Hatton, who moved it towards the left-hand post for Graeme Bevington to sweep the ball home for the opening goal.

Rotherham responded well to this setback. They, too, won a short corner and a well-worked move looked likely to produce an equaliser, only for Pratt to make an outstanding save.

Moments later Mounsey won the ball in the first of many midfield tussles. His pass down the left found Hatton who made a forceful run beating off two challenges before sliding the ball to the centre of Rotherham's circle; Jon Till burst past Rotherham's full backs and flicked the ball past the advancing 'keeper.

The second goal undermined Rotherham's confidence to a degree but they kept pressing strongly. Rhydding's midfield and defence had a great deal of work to do in this period, during which Alistair Woodhead gave a master class in defensive play.

The game was all but sealed in the closing moments of the first-half. Ben Rhydding won a short corner which, though well-executed, was parried by

Rotherham's goalkeeper. The ball came at an awkward angle to Richard Dawson who made a reverse stick flick to score.

The second-half was largely fought in midfield. The visitors had some senior players who pressed very strongly. It was during this period that young Alastair Mounsey came to a the fore. Despite continual physical pressure he kept a cool head and without exception retained possession for the home side.

His deft stickwork and passing were a joy to watch and he was deservedly voted Man-of- the-Match.

However, the goal scoring was not over. Midway through the second-half Ben Rhydding added a fourth goal when a cross from Mark Ketterman found Tony Hatton who steered the ball home from close range.

Towards the end Andrew Musgrave replaced Graeme Bevington at centre-back. The defence continued to repel some forceful Rotherham attacks but in the final minute one of the visitors' most experienced players was able to evade several tackles before sliding the ball to an unmarked colleague who scored an easy consolation goal.

This was the only blemish in an otherwise outstanding performance, which closed an excellent season for the fifth eleven.

The game was watched by the club's first eleven captain who has now invited promising youngsters Graeme Bevington and Alastair Mounsey to join the first/second XI training sessions next season.