Orrell St. James and Halton Farnworth Hornets brought down the curtains on a gripping Finals day as they fought it out for the NWML Cup.
It took just two minutes for the Hornets to open the scoring, as winger Matthew Tyrer found space and crossed over.
Although Orrell responded quickly with a try of their own, the Hornets regained the lead once again and looked to be in control heading into the break.
Orrell St. James had some ideas of their own, though.
When Sam Wilson scored for the Wigan outfit it seemed he’d only cut the Hornets’ lead before half-time, but there was still time for one more – Kieran Taylor crossed over in the last few seconds to turn it around and put Orrell 14-12 up at the break.
The drama continued in the second half, and Halton Farnworth regained the lead early on after some mesmerising footwork and finish from Jack Gatliffe – after Orrell St. James hit back once more, it would be Gatcliffe who stepped up again, making no mistake with a penalty goal in the dying embers to send an enthralling final to golden point.
The responsibility would fall on Gatcliffe’s shoulders again, though – with another penalty awarded, he had the opportunity to win it for the Hornets, and win it he did! Ice coursing through his veins, he nailed the penalty goal and made it 20-22 to ensure Halton Farnworth were crowned Cup champions after a riveting game of Rugby League.
