Sharks show heart in defeat to leaders Ince Rose Bridge

Casey Johnson was among the Shaw Cross try scorers as they suffered defeat at National Conference Division One leaders Ince Rose Bridge last Saturday.

The Sharks soaked up early pressure before a sweeping attack down the right saw Danny Flowers dummy his way over and kick the touchline goal.

The lead was short lived as Rose Bridge piled on the pressure and levelled after 15 minutes following a set play.

The Sharks conceded a string of penalties and Ince struck with a well worked converted try to lead 12-6 after 20 minutes.

Shaw Cross felt aggrieved at a high penalty count against them and Ince took full advantage to score two further tries before the break to lead 22-6.

The Sharks were again under pressure at the start of the second half and Ince increased their lead to 34-6 as the constant pressure and good field position told.

The Sharks struggled to get hold of possession but a rare attack saw the excellent Casey Johnson power over, with Flowers converting.

Further Shaw Cross pressure saw a neat passing move set Sharks man-of-the-match Tom Rogers free and he sprinted clear to score in the corner.

With Flowers off injured, Johnson converted from the touchline and at 34-18 the Sharks could see a glimmer of hope.

That was soon dashed when a great cut out pass saw the Ince centre burst clear to score in the corner.

The Sharks kept plugging away and good work from Jordan Anderson and Ben Spaven paved the way for Ben Gledhill to score an unconverted try.

Ince struck back to go 44-24 ahead with some slick play before a golden chance went begging for the Sharks when a strong run from Rogers saw Jack Gledhill and Sam Ottewell in support for what looked like a certain try but the ball was fumbled with a clear run to the line.

Ross Roebuck strode over in the corner for a late consolation try, with other top displays coming from forwards Will Poching, James Davies, Luke Hudson and Adam Masson, with Dec Naughton and Anderson working tirelessly.

Shaw Cross are on the road again this Saturday when they visit Salford City Roosters.

Dewsbury Celtic just did enough to edge out Castleford Panthers 24-22 in Conference Division Two.

There was little to choose between the two sides throughout a contest which saw Mike Foulstone (two), Adam Egan, Terry Maun and Richard Tillotson cross for Celtic, while Kyle Stanley, Jack Smith, Ben Warring and Chris Smith replied for the Panthers.

Victory leaves Celtic in eighth place, five points above the bottom two, while bottom side Castleford are still searching for their first point of the season.

Celtic face third-bottom Stanley Rangers on Saturday.