Dewsbury Moor Maroons 16 Woolston Rovers 10

FOR the third year in a row, Woolston Rovers’ attempt at promotion from National Conference League Division Three ended in play-off heartache.

Saturday’s defeat in a low-scoring affair at Dewsbury Moor means they must wait until next year to fight for a place in Division Two.

Alex Dunne and Sean Conway were Rovers’ try scorers as they lost in the play-off final for the second year in a row having been beaten by Drighlington at this stage in 2016.

Rovers got off to the worst possible start when pressure from the home side ended with George Croisdale burrowing over, with Aiden Ineson converting.

John Fieldhouse’s side found the perfect response when Luke Walker’s kick into the in-goal area was touched down by Dunne.

Defences were on top for the rest of the first half and much of the second period as both sides cancelled each other out.

However, with 12 minutes remaining, A Rovers handling error led to Croisdale sprinting clear to open up a two-score lead for the hosts.

The Green and Golds responded again when Ryan Brown put Conway over between the posts, with Walker’s conversion narrowing the gap to two points.

Their efforts were in vain, however, and Jordan Foster got the crucial next score to break Woolston’s hearts.

Woolston: Luke Walker; Alex Dunne, Lewis Hoarty, Troy Brophy, Christian Taylor; Theo Holt, Conner Muir; Ryan Hickman, Ryan Brown, Matt Clarke, Cameron Davies, Sean Conway, Harry Files. Subs: Aaron Barber, James Jones, Dan Fearnley, Jack Sherratt.