What a difference a week makes!

The Warriors put behind them last week’s dismal display at Undercliffe to play some fantastic rugby league football against a very competent Sharlston Rovers.

The early exchanges were even with Sharlston’s half backs putting on several set piece moves but Whitehall’s powerhouse forwards, Richard Casanove and Pete Williams, put in the hard graft to snuff out the danger time and again.

Captain Baz Stead was dominating the middle of the park and his astute kicking was putting the Rovers on the back foot.

Brother Paul, back after injury, was setting up Whitehall’s attacks and when he and Baz combined with speed machine Andy Green, Whitehall took a 4-0 lead.

With half time approaching, Sharlston, for the only time in the match, stretched the Warriors defence and scored in the corner to go in level at the break.

Coach, Richard Darkes, was more than happy with his team and instructed them to give out more of the same for the second half. Whitehall attacked and Sharlston managed to hold out strong running centre Chris Scrimshaw and the elusive Andy Sadler but there was no stopping big Pete Williams as he was put on a rampaging run by his skipper. Paul Stead kicked the goal.

Sharlston came back strongly but were met with a solid defence, 16 year old Josh Hopkinson being prominent.

From his own 25 metres, Whitehall’s Richard Casanove went on one of his blockbusting runs and scattered defenders as he charged down the field. With only the fullback to beat, his inch perfect pass to the supporting Chris Scrimshaw extended the Warriors lead. Paul Stead made no mistake with the goal kick.

Every member of the Whitehall team played their part in this match and 2^nd rowers, Johnson and Howland, worked with Spivey and Simpson to put Baz Stead away, and after he dummied through, who was on hand to score the final try but the try machine, Andy Green.

The Warriors showed character with this match winning performance on the back of 2 defeats and can travel to Sheffield for Saturday’s Cup Match with Confidence.

The coach leaves the Whitehall pub at 12.00 noon – spectators welcome.