Northampton Demons reach Harry Jepson Trophy Final
Northampton Demons booked their place in the Harry Jepson Trophy Final courtesy of a 34-12 victory over Scottish Champions Edinburgh Eagles at Wetherby on Sunday.
The Demons always looked in control of the semi-final and opened their scoring in the 15th minute with full-back Paul Stewart-Beckett cruising over in the left corner after some fast hands.
Further tries were added through the two centres, Jamie Cottle in the 19th minute and Ben Jones in the 30th minute whose try was added to by kicker Ben Young to give them a 14-0 advantage at the break.
Northampton felt aggrieved not to have scored another try just before half-time with Michael Hulme adjudged to have put his foot into touch after collecting a kick wide on the right before touching down.
For the Eagles a bit more composure on the ball would have paid dividends with mistakes costing them valuable field position and scoring opportunities.
Demons hooker Fred Woods opened the scoring in the second half going over in the 45th minute with scrum-half Ben Young converting to push their lead to 20-0.
The game was then effectively wrapped up by a fine, four minute brace by winger Michael Hulme who crossed in the 50th and 54th minute the first of which saw him travel most of the length of the field to finish under the sticks and give Young an easy job converting.
Credit to the Eagles though who kept battling and were rewarded in the 60th minute with loose forward Ali Maxwell scoring wide out left following sustained pressure and excellent ball movement down the line.
This was converted by Eagles scrum-half Seb Trotter to make the deficit 30-6.
Demons full-back Paul Stewart-Beckett secured victory in the 70th minute with his second try of the afternoon which wasn’t converted but gave the Demons a comfortable advantage.
The Eagles weren’t finished however and scored a consolation try five minutes from time through Kiwi prop forward Tony Wright which was again converted by Seb Trotter to make the final score 34-12 to the Demons.
Northampton Demons
Paul Stewart-Beckett
Michael Hulme
Ben Jones
Jamie Cottle
Jack Wheeler
Kie Fewster
Ben Young
Grant Wond
Fred Woods
Dave Marks
Tim Stevens
Simon Garnett
Matt Lyle
Dom Ward
Olly Cottle
Adam Seamark
Martin Wolfenden
Tries: Paul Stewart-Beckett (2), Jamie Cottle, Ben Jones, Fred Woods, Michael Hulme (2)
Conversions Ben Young 3/7
Northampton Demons MOM Michael Hulme
Callum Anderson
Neil Alexander
James Bird
Stuart Henderson
Mark Robertson
Dave Vernon
Seb Trotter
Tom Murray
Ross Grady
Tony Wright
Ray Festorazzi
Dan Barber
Ali Maxwell
Neil Williams
Donald Grani
Tries: Ali Maxwell, Tony Wright
Conversions: Seb Trotter 2/2
Edinburgh Eagles MOM Ali Maxwell
Referee: Jason Woodman
Played at Wetherby Rugby League club 09/09/2012 KO 2pm.