Tetley's Challenge Cup 2nd Round- RNRL v Skirlaugh

Sat 9th March 2013 – Kick off 1400 - USSG Burnaby Road Portsmouth PO1 2EJ
Scoring Sequence 0-4(6mins),0-6(7), 0-10(30), 012(38), 0-14(41)0-18(43), 0-20(44), 4-20(47), 4-24(55), 4-26(56), 4-30(60), 4-32(61),4-36 (63)

Match day weather was an as near perfect as it could be after two previous days of rain the scene was set for a good game. The visitors had travelled down on Friday night to ensure good prep for the match however although RN management, Danny Johnson and Jase Steel, had a full squad duty commitments meant full team training sessions were once again limited. Nonetheless the Brothers were ready and looking to put on a show against the Conference Premier outfit from Humberside.
A tough first half with few if any chances for either side but the visitors had the better of the play scoring a couple of trys without reply. The well drilled Skirlaugh team, featuring BARLA internationals and Championship loanees, took advantage of several lapses in RN play compounded by the sin binning of Manoa Satola for lying on. An early converted try for full back Stuart Smith was well deserved after good pressure from Skirlaugh. The second quarter of the game was fairly even but the RN could not make the crucial break and get back on terms. The Skirlaugh response was direct and positive a try on the half hour by Adam Robinson dented the RN revival. The last score of the half was a penalty to Skirlaugh who acknowledged the threat from the RN and took the two points to give them a half time lead of 12-0.
The second half began badly for the RN, Skirlaugh taking advantage of an early penalty chance followed up by a length of the field effort by Tom Saltman who pounced on a loose ball to race 60 metres to score under the posts, Jason Bell converting (0:20). This try knocked the brothers back and was the probably the turning point of the game, up to then RNRL had always been in with a chance and the interception was from some good pressure and approach work to the Skirlaugh line. The Brothers did make a positive response though, good approach play gave them a glimmer of hope, a promising attack appeared to have stalled until the ball was sent from left to right into the hands of Fijian winger Kitione Kamikamika who crossed for the score despite the attention of two defenders. The final quarter of the match however belonged to Skirlaugh who pressed home their advantage to dominate the closing stages. Another interception try by Saltman rounded off the scoring following further try’s by Higginbotham and Robinson with three goals for Jason Bell. The well drilled Skirlaugh outfit proved too good for the home side on the day thoroughly deserving the win to advance them to the 3rd Round draw. Final Score RN 4:36 Skirlaugh
BARLA squad player and Skirlaugh full back Stuart Smith was awarded man of the match by RNRL for his team. For the Brothers Mike Haldenby continued his great run of form initially at left wing and then at full back later in the match and was duly awarded RN man of the match by the Skirlaugh team.

Royal Navy RL:- Alex Scruton, Mike Haldenby, Craig Sutton, Silivenusi Buinimasi, Kitione Kamikamica, Steve Lockton, Ryan Matthews, Richie Metcalfe, Kyle Larvin, Lewis Taylor, Ben Taylor, Mark Robinson (c), Steve Riley, Manoa Satala, Wata Robanakvadu, Ellis Lacey, Matt Corrigan
Scorer: Try Kamikamica

Skirlaugh:- Stuart Smith, Adam Robinson, Mike Johnson, Jason Bell, Lee Nobbs, James Higginbotham, Chris Brown, Trevor Penrose, Tommy Harrison, Johnny Young (C), Matty Blower, Scott Mountain, Marc Smith, Luke Thompson, Thomas Saltman, John Gay, Danny Kitchen
Scorers Try’s – Saltman (2), Robinson(2), Smith, Higginbotham
Goals- Bell 4(Conv) 2(Pen)