Rugby League

Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Sunday 28th January 2024

Kick Off 14.00

Orrell St. James 12 York Acorn 22, attendance 450

@ Bankes Avenue

Orrell

WN5 8HU

£3 Admission

Programme available, didn’t bother buying.

Another Challenge Cup match for me today and a long slog north to the outskirts of Wigan, the ground visible from the M6, on the right, as you approach J26 to exit and only a couple of minutes from there. The ground is at the end of Bankes Avenue, where there is a car park at the entrance (I parked in the road to avoid the chance of getting blocked in) and once through the entrance gate you entered the clubhouse and then the pitch, which runs widthways in front and has a slight end to end slope. It is fully railed with a plastic barrier and there are dugouts on the far side, as well as three floodlight pylons on that side only, whilst hard standing is on two and a bit sides. The only cover here is a small overhang on the front of the clubhouse.

The match was the reigning North West Counties champions versus National Conference League Premier Division. Orrell had beaten Haresfinch in the first round, whilst York had only come into the competition at this stage. I hoped this would be close and wasn’t disappointed, as there’s nothing worse than a one sided thrashing in rugby league. It didn’t look like it would turn out that way though, as York went over to score the first try after just 37 seconds and converted the kick to make it 0-6. There had been no further points added when a bad injury occurred after 35 minutes 2 seconds to a York player. He was unable to be moved and an ambulance was called. It arrived about half an later and after a break in play, we were back underway and completed the remaining minutes of the half with no further score, followed by a quick halftime, of only a couple of minutes, during which the players stayed out on the pitch.

York made a flying start again, converting a try to open up a 0-12 lead just two minutes in. Four minutes later Orrell went over for a try of their own, which was converted to make it 6-12. Two more tries for the visitors, one converted, saw them extend their lead in the next ten minutes to 6-22 and the win looked secured. Orrell did convert another try on the hour mark to make it 12-22, but that was the last score of the day.

The game ended at 16.22 and was finished without having to turn on the floodlights.