Cowling Harlequins 16 Selby Warriors A 28

Cowling looked well on course for a Pennine League Division Seven victory but let a 16-0 lead slip through their hands.

Returning to their home at South Craven School, they started much the stronger team and, playing with a confidence which had previously been missing, it looked like it was going to be their day.

After five minutes player coach Darren Greenwood powered over from close range but the extra two was missed by Craig Nicholson.

However, Quins powered through the Selby line again, passing and offloading well until ever-present prop Adam Haigh’s barn-storming run to the line increased the lead, Nicholson this time adding the two points.

On the very next set Cowling full back David Gooding raced 80 metres to score under the sticks. He also converted to put the Quins 16-0 up.

On the restart Cowling dropped the ball from the kick to give Selby a chance and they took it, scoring on the next play.

That made it 16-4 to the hosts at half-time, when the message to Cowling’s players was to withhold pressure for the first 20 minutes of the second half.

However, prop Jonathan Braddley went off with a suspected broken jaw and the Warriors, having been lifted from their try just before half-time, ran in 14 points to make it a very tight finish.

Good work from Brannan Lawn and Kevin Gibson-Ree drove Quins on and they thought they had won it when Greenwood appeared to have gone over the line but no try was given.

Selby capitalised to break away and win the contest.

Despite the Selby fightback, Quins gained confidence from this match, knowing they have what it takes if they can cut out the mistakes.

Cowling host Illingworth A at South Craven School on Saturday (2pm).