JENKINSON LANDS SHUTTLE PLACE IN FINAL

RFC will meet Shuttle in the Division One Cup Final after the semis were settled on Sunday. A Sam Richardson strike, a penalty from captain Matty Davison combined with an own goal saw RFC run out comfortable 3-0 winners over Brinkburn Lions at the Rugby Club. Meanwhile, Mark Jenkinson scored the only goal of the game for the Shuttle who beat a disappointing Allstars in the Education Village derby. The evergreen Alan Rusk was already looking forward to seeing RFC compete in their first final, 'I've had some great times being involved with the team over the last few seasons and I'm hoping it's our year as it would be smashing to win something.'

In the Division Two competition, a second half hat-trick from Fred Huscroft helped The Deacon book their place in the final after beating Harrowgate Hill at Carmel. The game exploded into life for all the wrong reasons within the first 10 mins when both teams had a man sent off for fighting on the touchline. However, it was the visitors who came off worse as the home sides’ guilty party was an unused substitute at the time. After referee Mark Waldock had dealt with the side show, it was back to the action on the pitch and following good work from El-Khayat, the home side got their noses in front when the mercurial Lewis Henry squeezed his shot under stopper Ward. Despite their numerical advantage the Deacon failed to build on the lead and the visitors will have been pleased to go into the break only 1-0 down. The home side took control after the restart when Huscroft hit his first from close range despite the visitors protests who claimed the ball had been handled in the build up. It was then the home sides turn to complain when the Hill hit back as appeals for offside were ignored and Rob Harland slotted home. It was all academic in the end though as Huscroft completed his hat-trick with two composed finishes and despite Harland’s late penalty, which was again disputed, the Deacon were deserving 4-2 winners. Their opposition in the final will be Havelock Arms after Jack Howden, Adi Weston, Chris Thompson and Jake Laverick all scored in their 4-1 win over Hunstmen Goodfellas. Goodfellas talisman, Sheldon, netted the consolation.

Back in the league, ACE Cars pulled away from the bottom three with a 3-1 win over Croft at Tommy Crooks.