Rugby league: MK Wolves win first ever trophy

MILTON Keynes Wolves got their 2014 Rugby League season off to the very best possible start on Saturday – winning their first ever trophy after being crowned champions of the “What Protect” East RL Nines tournament.

Nines is a shortened form of the usual 13-man game, and played at the home of close rivals Bedford Tigers, the East Nines is the traditional curtain-raiser to the East RL season, and attracts teams from across the East Anglian region.

Thanks to the improved numbers at pre-season training, MK were able to submit a first and second team into the tournament.

The seconds found it slightly harder going, but battled through to the semi-finals of the Plate competition, missing out on the Plate final with a last-minute score.

MK’s firsts were unbeaten through the group stages, pooled with Southend, hosts Bedford Tigers and last year’s champions North Herts Crusaders.

The semi-final was a heated affair against a very physical Kings Lynn side, but MK prevailed 18-8 to book a place in the final against Bedford Tigers.

Bedford’s Putnoe Woods had not been a happy hunting ground for MK in previous seasons, but this time there was very little to separate the derby rivals in a very even and engaging final.

Bedford took an early 6-0 lead, but MK scored twice to make it 12-6 with minutes to play. Bedford then drew proceedings level in the last minute of the final to level the scores at 12-12, and set up the golden point extra time.

It took two sets of tackles for MK to cross the tryline and seal the victory – Ben Fisher taking the ball to the left of the posts to score in the corner and spark jubilant celebrations from the MK contingent.

“It was a fantastic day – all our players were proud to play for MK, and to come back as champions,” said Pete Nuttall, club member.

The Wolves will take on Bedford again this Saturday when the league season begins.

Article source: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Ankle-injury-rules-Bath-Rugby-flanker-Matt-Garvey/story-21029187-detail/story.html

Rugby league: MK Wolves win first ever trophy