Rylands Sharks 30 Hindley 18

FORMER Coventry Bears duo Billy Sheen and Troy Brophy proved key in helping their new Rylands teammates to a hard-earned victory against a stubborn Hindley outfit in the second match played at Shark Park on Saturday.

In a game where the lead would change hands several times it was the hosts who struck first when great hands from the Sharks through Boyle and Wilson sent Brophy racing over to score on his debut, with Jack Lewis adding the extras with only three minutes played.

Hindley hit back within two minutes with a try for second-rower Kieron Murphy converted by Chris Scarborough.

Hindley increased their advantage with a try on fifteen minutes through winger Jordan Patterson with Scarborough again adding the extras.

The Sharks then began to control the rest of the first stanza resulting in two tries for returning half-back Billy Sheen on 18 when he capitalised on a great break by the ever-impressive Chris Dean and 35 minutes when he dazzled the Hindley defence with his quick footwork and frightening pace.

Lewis added one conversion, giving Rylands a 16-12 lead at half time.

The second period followed the same path as the first with both sides exchanging the lead with the visitors striking first with a try and conversion from half-back Scarborough in the opening 10 minutes.

Rylands then had to dig deep as Hindley tried to increase their slight advantage putting the Sharks on the back foot for a short period, and the home side's efforts were rewarded with two tries in the space of a minute when the Sharks’ powerful left-hand side caused problems again when Brophy found his winger Luke Gillooley for a try, then Sheen to complete his hat-trick with 20 minutes remaining finishing off in support of a Jack Lewis break.

The last 20 saw Hindley throw everything at Rylands’ line as they tried to snatch the lead back but it was the hosts who looked most likely to score which they duly did.

With the clock running Matt Wilson found Luke Walker dashed over the line to score and with Lewis adding the extras Rylands wrapped up two important points in their quest to climb the NWML Premier Division table.

Best for Rylands were Chris Dean, Troy Brophy, Billy Sheen and Jordan Ansell while Chris Scarborough impressed for the visitors.

Coach Matt Wilson, who found himself in the team this weekend, was delighted to get the win.

He said: “Doesn’t feel great now due to playing myself but it is great to get another win and moves us two points off fifth with a game against Shevington this Friday.

“That was a real tough game but we are always the better side, again we are still building with new players.

“We have a run of eight games now week after week so we can get some consistency in our performance and with more bodies coming back all the time it’s going to very difficult for me to pick a side.

“Chris Dean was absolutely outstanding again.

“Another 80 minutes at prop just doesn’t happen every week so we’re lucky to have him.

“Billy and Troy showed their class and that’s what they can do to teams.

“We have just all got to work out how they play and all get on the same page at times but that will come with us.

“We will go again Friday night and continue to improve.”

Rylands: Jack Lewis, Pete Price, Carl Lloyd, Troy Brophy, Luke Gillooley, Sean Boyle, Billy Sheen, Jordan Ansell, Anthony Beckett, Chris Dean, Matty Taylor, Matty Wilson, Craig Harris, Dave Walker, Luke Walker, Chris Morley, Adam Thompson.