Pennine League Division Four: Queensbury 18 Siddal 14

A SUPERB last-gasp touchdown from substitute half-back Gregg Marriott gave table-toppers Queensbury a hard-fought victory against Siddal at Deanstones Lane.

The Halifax outfit, who entered the fray with an impressive unbeaten league record and a pending berth in the semi-finals of the BARLA Yorkshire Cup, struck the first blow when a dropped Bury pass paved the way for wingman Matt Prest to cross in the corner.

Bury regrouped quickly, however, with prop forward Matt Kieran setting a fine example in barnstorming fashion, and a crisp crossfield passing move put wingman Ash Ryan over the chalk for the equaliser.

The hosts were reduced in numbers on the half-hour when stand-off Jordon Brown was sent to the sin bin for shirt pulling but the speedy introduction of substitute playmaking forward Brett Marriott softened the blow considerably, with his ability to probe the gaps.

Nevertheless, it was the visitors who went into the interval 6-4 to the good when full back Kyle Ackroyd posted a penalty.

A splendid run from Brett Marriott on the restart led to Brown crossing but the effort was disallowed due to him not grounding properly.

Bury moved up a gear and a cameo 20-metre sprint from prop Andy Senior caught the visitors defence at sixes and sevens, forcing them to concede a penalty at the side of the uprights which full back Alix Stephenson converted with ease.

Siddal were far from daunted though and regained the advantage after a lightning strike on the left-hand flank enabled wingman Dom Patrick to dive over at the flag, and substitute Billy Clewley landed the touchline conversion.

The never-say-die attitude of the hosts, however, led to Brown slipping a brilliant offload to send Stephenson on an angled run to the posts for a try that he converted himself, and it was anyone’s game at 12-12 with ten minutes to go.

Siddal celebrated in style when Clewley kicked a penalty after Bury were judged to have held down in the tackle but their euphoria proved short- lived as Bury battered their line, with Gregg Marriott proving to be the hero when he jinked his way through their ranks for a brilliant winner which Stephenson converted.