Mirfield Spartans extended their unbeaten run to six matches with an emphatic win over Stanley Rangers at Frank Middleton Park on Saturday.
The result came in the second half of a home double-header at the Slipper Lane ground, with the A team having earlier been forced to abandon their fixture against Hull Wyke after a serious injury to a visiting player.
The A team had answered an appeal for an opponent from Wyke, who made the long trip across from the East coast.
Spartans named a strong 17 and looked good value for a first victory of 2026 when hooker Daz Tetley darted over from dummy half to break the deadlock.
Dylan Waterworth added the conversion before getting in on the scoring act himself with the try of the game, linking up with Dylan Goodward and Ethan Thompson down the right flank.
At 12-0 the home side looked set to push on, but a bombed try and a growing error count handed Wyke a way back in, and the visitors crossed twice before the break to level the scores.
Mirfield regained the lead after the restart through Harley Beardsell, who reacted quickest to a loose ball in the Wyke in-goal, with Waterworth’s conversion making it 18-12.
Sadly, around the 60-minute mark, play was halted after Wyke’s Jack Lilley landed awkwardly in the tackle.
Following assessment by the physios, the decision was taken to call time on the game. The club has sent its best wishes to Jack for a speedy recovery.
The injury meant a delayed kick-off for the first team’s fixture, and persistent drizzle made for tricky conditions throughout.
Despite the wet underfoot, the Spartans were quickly into their stride and built a commanding first-half lead through tries from Lewis Boye, Lewis Toner, James Pickering, Jamie McCarthy and Logan Sykes.
Sykes’ effort caught the eye, with a fine sliding finish to round off a flowing attacking move.
Kian Morgan slotted a single conversion in the tricky kicking conditions to send Spartans in 22-0 ahead at the break.
The tries kept coming after the restart. Toner crossed once more to take his season tally to an impressive 14 in seven games, while Pickering completed his brace and went agonisingly close to a hat-trick after losing control over the line.
Returning dual-registration player Jordan Paga also marked his comeback with a try of his own, and Morgan added three further goals to round off Mirfield’s second biggest win of the season.
Stanley grabbed a deserved consolation late on, but by that point the result was well beyond doubt.
After losing home and away to Stanley last year, the result will have been particularly satisfying for everyone connected with the club.
Captain Alfie Copley was singled out by opposition coaches and Spartans staff for special praise after a true leader’s display, with Josh Wilcock continuing his fine recent form at number nine.
Combined with Keighley Albion’s draw at Dudley Hill, the win lifts Mirfield into second place in the Yorkshire Conference, though Albion still have a game in hand.
The two sides go head to head this coming Saturday when Albion make the trip to Frank Middleton Park, with second spot up for grabs.
