Methley Royals, hit by holidays, illnesses and work commitments, worked wonders to fulfil their pre-season fixture at National Conference League outfit Eastmoor.
* Click here to sign up to free email news and sport alerts from Kippax Today.And they returned to the village with heads held high after an honourable 24-14 defeat.
* Click here to become a fan of Kippax Today on Facebook.The Royals, coached by Tony Barik in the temporary absence of Kelvin Skerrett, travelled with only 12 players, almost twice that number being unavailable, and the Dragons kindly agreed to play on that basis.
* Click here for latest news in Kippax and Methley.Methley, however, received a further blow seconds before the kick-off when prop Luke Pickering withdrew, a broken nose sustained in an incident in Wakefield the previous evening proving too much to overcome until late in the second period.
The Royals conceded three early tries after a bright start as Eastmoor made the most of the extra man in the blistering heat.
Eastmoor added another touchdown for a 20-4 interval lead, but Methley's hopes were raised when Reece Willshaw bustled over and Sam Payne added the extras.
James Baxter also crossed in the second period but the Dragons prevailed, closing with an Andy Smith brace, a try and a goal for Leigh Joyce, and touchdowns by Chris Hayward, Mike Williams, Pete Ratcliffe and Ashley Allman; Damion Haldenby landed five goals.
Robert Carriss-Wright and Matty Carriss-Wright were outstanding for Methley, and there were impressive displays by Payne, Biscomb, Baxter, Lee Starbuck, John Saville – an inspirational captain - Gareth Grant-Mills, Chris Gibson and Richard Scott.
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