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The Royals, who were among the favourites to win the Trophy, looked on course to progress to a home quarter-final tie with Rockware Stolzle when they went into the closing minute 24-22 ahead.

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Methley, indeed, had an opportunity to finish Kettlethorpe off, only for a defender to get his hand to what could have been a try-scoring pass deep in home territory.

The Kettlethorpe player involved, frustrated at not securing possession, kicked the ball into touch and the Royals expected either a scrum in their favour or, possibly, a penalty.

Instead, the referee awarded a scrum with a `home' feed, ruling that the ball had played the man. Kettlethorpe, to their credit, made the most of the escape, Stuart Thorpe b reaking clear and racing 90 metres for a stunning score.

Jamie Miller, who had already landed three goals, was unable to add the extras but the damage had been done, the match official calling `time' on the game and on Methley's involvement in this season's knockout competitions.

Luke Marshall (2), Richard Williamson and Adam Rowntree had scored Kettlethorpe's earlier tries but defeat was tough on Methley, who lacked several regulars but had nevertheless done enough to earn a memorable win against the Division One strugglers.


Stand-off Tommy Skerrett, captaining the side in the absence of Danny Agar, scored a try and four goals and hooker Reece Willshaw crossed twice, with winger Thomas Kaye also sprinting over.

Methley, who had led 12-10 at the interval, gave a first outing to Danny Bolton, who played at prop after switching from Shaw Cross Sharks and helped marshall the Royals to fine effec t.

Paul Farrar was also tireless at prop, where Methley will shortly be welcoming back Dean Tucker, who has one match left of a suspension to serve.

Carl Garman and Richard Scott, both drafted into the second row, tackled themselves to a standstill in support of loose forward Simon Dickinson, while Dave Craven showed plenty of enterprise at scrum half.

John Saville stood in memorably at fullback for Agar, while Danny Snowden switched from wing to centre to show rare glimpses alongside James Baxter, who is establishing a promising partnership with winger Matty Baker.

Thomas Wheatley brushed illness aside to go on the bench alongside Shaun Dickinson, Matty Carriss-Wright and Chris Gibson, all of whom had their moments.

Methley host Brotherton at Willowbridge on Saturday (2.30pm) in the first of their last six league fixtures. With games in hand on those above them, the title remains up for grabs, with every match assuming the mantle of a cup-tie.