Vogel's brace is vital for Wibsey Warriors (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Chris Vogel's brace is vital for Wibsey Warriors

4:00pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in Sport By Jack Strother

Wibsey Warriors 32, Thornhill Trojans 16

Two touchdowns from outstanding packman Chris Vogel played a major part in Wibsey Warriors’ hard-earned Pennine League Premier Division victory over a determined Thornhill Trojans outfit at Northfield Road.

Wibsey benefited from a huge slice of luck, however, when referee Bill Huck missed a blatant knock-on from prop Mark Darragh in the build-up to their first try, leaving hooker Kyle Carter to cross in acres of space, scrum half Simon Sewell slotting over the extras.

Thornhill showed their resilience with a number of fruitless raids before stand-off Ryan Smith increased the hosts' tally with a devastating change of pace that put him en route to the corner flag, and Vogel soon followed up with his first try following an unstoppable drive from 15 metres out.

At 14-0, Wibsey were well in control but a lack of concentration allowed Trojans substitute Derrell Olpheris the chance to cross on the overlap.

When scrum half Danny Radcliffe scooted under the sticks, leaving stand-off Andy Bates a simple conversion just two minutes from the break, the game was suddenly back in the melting pot at 14-10.

However, the Warriors struck straight from the restart when a Smith kick over the top found substitute wingman Neil Wall, who collected with ease to canter under the posts.

An altercation took place when he was in the act of touching down that led to his opposite number Sam Radcliffe lying pole-axed on the ground.

Referee Huck restored order by showing Wall the red card and Trojans packman Ben Kendall a yellow card for his part in the resulting melee before Sewell made sure of the extras for a 20-10 scoreline.

A tap-and-run penalty enabled centre Nick Walker to sprint over in the corner, and his partner Neil Sutcliffe skilfully picked the same spot when the ball was flashed out wide shortly afterwards as the Warriors looked to be coasting towards the finishing tape.

However, they were further reduced in numbers when prop forward Mike Kite was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate trip.

A converted try from Thornhill prop Tony Harris gave them a brief window of opportunity but it was short-lived as Vogel decided enough was enough by stepping up to the plate with another bulldozing blindside run into the corner.