Blackpool Stanley u14 8 Haydock Warriors u14 28

Blackpool Stanley under 14’s started their 2014 campaign with a home defeat to Haydock Warriors. Despite being able to field only 10 players due to holiday commitments Stanley held their own in a very even first half. Haydock were first to score after only 4 minutes and the signs looked ominous for a short-handed Stanley side. Despite this Stanley rallied and took much of the ball forcing regular errors from a fragile Warriors offence, Keelan Openshaw and Sean Craven made some positive runs which put Stanley and the front foot, however, an error early in the tackle count was swooped on by the Haydock lock who outstripped a tiring defence to score in the corner 0-8.

Stanley looked the better side and remained on top due to strong defence from Dean Harding and Nathan Winter and with minutes remaining of the half managed a score in the corner when Openshaw  drove over to make the half time score 4 -8.

The second half was less of a contest as the Warriors took full advantage of their 3 player advantage and scored 3 early tries making the score 4 – 22 with most of the half remaining. Stanley rallied and despite tiring legs managed a try in the corner when Craven crashed over for his first of the season 8 – 22

Stanley will be pleased with the start they made despite the loss, the coaches were encouraged by good performances from Oli Tribe and Daniel Stretton and from debutants Ben Hindley and Zak Williams and will look forward to a boost in numbers when the players on holiday return.