Halifax ARL Joe Blackford Memorial Trophy first round: King Cross Park A 8 Silsden 24

SILSDEN got straight back to winning ways after a seven-week lay-off due to the Christmas break and waterlogged pitches.

They faced a young and enthusiastic side who never gave up against a more experienced and bigger Cobbydalers outfit.

Silsden opened the scoring with a well-worked try down the left, with some good passing seeing Chris Greenwood cross for an unconverted try.

This was followed up with another touchdown in the same corner after a penalty for offside gave the visitors some good field position.

Jack Ninnis-Stoddart scored the try, which was too far out for the conversion to be successful.

The Cobbydalers continued to dominate playing down the slope, making full use of their pace and power.

No better example came in the next score from Jason Scott. He burst on to a well-timed pass to brush off several would-be tacklers and then outpace the cover to register Silsden’s third try.

This time the extra points were added to give them a 14-point half-time lead.

The second half brought a change in fortunes, with the visitors now playing uphill. Silsden seemed to lose their organisation and allowed King Cross to record two quick scores.

Neither were converted but, with only six points in it, Silsden were rocking.

Up stepped Danny Whittaker to steady their nerves, taking a short pass to crash over the line for a try just to the side of the posts, converted by Jack Adams.

This seemed to knock the heart out of the home team and Silsden took control once more. The final score came from a looping run by James Bowdin, who just got in at the corner.

Man of the match was Ben Ross, who put in another huge shift of running and tackling. He was run close by Jake Smith, who is developing into an outstanding full back, and Jonathon Crowther.

Silsden are back in league action on Saturday with a home fixture against Odsal Sedbergh.