HANDICAP CUP SEMI-FINAL

Boothtown Terriers 54

Whitehall Warriors 37 (including 25 Handicap)

A depleted Whitehall were no match for Division Two side, Boothtown Terriers, who had stand off Graham Charlesworth in terrific form scoring a hat trick of tries in the first 20 minutes.

Whitehall rested seven players after Wednesday’s bruising encounter against Brighouse Rangers but their replacements battled gallantly especially Matt Smith and 54 year old veteran Paul Johnson.

Warriors Debutant Geraint Jones completed a 5 man handling move but unfortunately dropped the ball over the line, but he made up for it minutes later when he linked well with outstanding half-back David Spivey to send Andy Clay charging over the line.

Boothtown responded with tries to giant prop Simon Jevons and the hard working Scott Lindsey, which brought the first half to a close with the Terriers leading 30-29 and the Warriors handicap advantage clawed back.

Boothtown came storming out of the blocks in the 2^nd half with Man of the Match, Kevin Smith, using his forwards to good effect and Jason Dodd crashed in at the corner.

Whitehall picked up their game and Andrew Clay and Johnny Hotham put in some good runs but Graham Charlesworth time and again chased back with his lightening speed to deny the Warriors.

The 50-year old duo of Richard Spivey and Mick Williams turned back the years, and their swift ball handling skills sent their fellow veteran wingman, Paul Johnson, scampering in at the corner for a Whitehall try. This inspired the sons of the above mentioned trio - and Andrew Johnson and Big Pete Williams put David Spivey over the whitehwash.

The Warriors joy was short lived as Boothtown turned on the style and tries to Patrick Doland and a brace for Simon Farrar and another to Jason Dodd ended the game.

Graham Charlesworth kicked the goals of all 9 tries scored and including the points from his hat trick of tries had a personal haul of 30 points.

Whitehall’s Pete Williams, who amazingly has never missed any match since the Warriors formation, was rewarded, surprisingly for the 1^st time, with the Man of the Match award.

The Warriors welcome back coach Richard Darkes, who has been away climbing Mount Everest for the past 3 weeks, just in time for the final push for the Division Four title. They face Sharleston at home on Wednesday in a "must win game" to ensure promotion and are at home to Division Four leaders, Slaithwaite, in the final game of the season on Saturday 28^th April.