Siddal's Yorkshire Men's League team produced their best display for many seasons in overcoming a physical Sharlston Rovers team by 8-50 in Wakefield on Saturday.

Siddal scored four tries in each half and James Dodd's trusty right boot landed seven conversions and two penalties on a very promising afternoon for Siddal's youngsters.

Strong running from Mason Scott and Josh Beck in the early exchanges created space in the Sharlston defence which was exploited by Waldi Matahwa, who registered the first try under the posts after four minutes.

The Siddal pack was making good ground with ball in hand as Dec Knapping, Joe Lewis and Leo Dow were prominent. It was no surprise when the outstanding Beck was next to touch down following a strong run.

Half backs Will Scrimshaw and Jake Hancock were marshalling the side well, with Hancock's kicking game maintaining a territorial advantage for the visitors. Centre pairing Henry Ogden and Robson McGowan were taking some handling when the ball was spread out as the Halifax side continued to dominate the game.

On 25 minutes, Dodd punished Sharlston for an offence with a penalty for a late hit on Skipper Scrimshaw to put Siddal 0-14 ahead. It got better for Siddal in the final ten minutes of the half as they scored further tries, firstly from a determined run from Ogden and then a fine individual score from Matahwa. Dodd converted both tries for a 0-26 lead.

Sharlston's best player, second rower Liam Kendall pulled a try back for the home side on the stroke of half time to finish the first period 4-26.

Siddal started the first half in an equally determined manner. Korey Hardy, George Thorpe, Frankie Gaukroger, Freddie Warburton, Aleks Stojanovic and Luke Doyle maintained the first half momentum. On 43 minutes man-of-the-match Ciaran Raistrick fielded a kick 70 yards out and returned the ball straight through the home defence in a fine run to score under the posts. Dodd's conversion stretched the lead to 4-32.

Ten minutes later Dodd grabbed a try of his own, benefitting from approach play from Tom Dann and McGowan. He then improved the score with a touchline conversion for a 4-38 lead.

Jacob Haigh was next on the scoresheet as his great footwork made the most of the position worked for him by Scrimshaw and Ogden to make the scores 4-42.

Rovers replied with their second try after 66 minutes.

Raistrick scored his second try after 72 minutes when a worked move from a scrum gave his space to scorch home from 30 yards out. Dodd improved that try and hit a penalty with the last play of the game to reach the half century as Siddal got their league campaign off to a fine start with an 8-50 win.