Author Archives: Charlotte Fletcher

The Final 80.

Posted on by

0

31 games, a Challenge Cup shock and a Super League relegation has brought us to this, the final 80 of the Super League season. The reformatting of Super League in 2015, which saw play-offs ditched for a new ‘Super 8s’, … Continue reading →

Black and White Delight as Hull FC grab a last gasp win in thrilling Challenge Cup Final

Posted on by

0

  • Hull FC run out 12-10 winners against Warrington Wolves at the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final
  • Tries from Mahe Fonua and Jamie Shaul enough to edge Hull to victory
  • Marc Sneyd named Lance Todd Trophy man of the match


Hull FC win the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup after a second half comeback against Warrington Wolves, with the Airlie Birds lifting the Challenge Cup Trophy for the first time ever at Wembley Stadium.

A thrilling encounter awaited at Wembley for this year’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final, Warrington are no strangers to the Wembley stadium, with plenty of experience under their belts. Hull have been the surprise package of Super League this year, however, and make this their second Challenge Cup final in just three years having missed out in 2013 against Wigan Warriors. This was the first ever meeting between the two sides in a major final.

An enthralling start to the game saw Hull come close, paired with some great work from the boot of Marc Sneyd to keep Warrington pegged back for long periods. The primrose and blues were quick to interrupt the Hull game plan though, and on 15 minutes looked as though they would break the deadlock as Kurt Gidley placed a neat ball towards the in-goal area, but Sika Manu made sure it remained scoreless.

Warrington were gifted a great opportunity 24 minutes in after a knock-on 30 metres out. Tony Smith’s men looked to take advantage as quick hands from Kurt Gidley and Chris Sandow fed Ryan Atkins on the wing, the number four was held over the line and his searching offload rolled into touch, allowing Hull some breathing space.

Warrington eventually opened the scoring on 33 minutes as Chris Sandow intercepted a straying pass from a black and white shirt to launch an 80-metre dash for the goal line. Jamie Shaul was on hand to stop Sandow finishing an almost perfect run, but with Hull FC still chasing it created an easy opportunity for Matty Russell to grab the first of the game. Kurt Gidley slotted over from a close angle to nudge Wire ahead at the end of a very close opening period.

HALF TIME: Hull FC 0 – 6 Warrington Wolves

Just two minutes into the restart the pressure forced Hull to be penalised for holding in the tackle, Kurt Gidley immediately signalled for the two from a perfect position, looking to extend Warrington’s tally to eight unanswered points, but the ball sailed wide of the posts.

Almost immediately Hull found themselves in a great position down the other end of the pitch. Scott Taylor provided a delicate touch to the corner, chased by Steve Michaels but Ratchford smothered it just in time to prevent a certain Hull try. The resulting drop goal was enough for Hull to power forward once again, this time Carlos Tumavae just short of the goal line, but the Warrington defence were equal to the attack and the score remained 6-0.

As Hull looked to be closing in on an important comeback, Warrington made an important break to take their tally to 10 after 55 minutes, as great team play from right to left allowed Ben Currie to power into the corner for the Wolves, with Gidley missing the conversion.

With Hull desperately needing a foothold in the game, Marc Sneyd rescued some vital territory on the hour mark with a 40/20. It was exactly the lift the Airlie Birds needed as Scott Taylor was narrowly held over the line before Sneyd turned creator again with a perfect chip cross-field to allow Fonua to touch down in front of the black and white supporters. The boots of Marc Sneyd squeaky clean to complete the move with the conversion to reduce the deficit to just four points.

In just a matter of minutes Hull were overcome with a burst of energy. Marc Sneyd looked to set up Steve Michaels for an equaliser in the corner but a second opinion from the video referee confirmed Stefan Ratchford had just got there in time to deny Hull a score.

On the 73rd minute it was apparent that Hull were here to cause and upset after fantastic play, again from Marc Sneyd, fed Jamie Shaul crashing under the sticks in front of a loud and jubilant Hull FC end. The conversion from directly in front of the uprights was successful from Sneyd as the Airlie Birds edged ahead with seven minutes to go.

With just over a minute left, Warrington looked like they might have snatched the victory from the grasp of Hull, but Ben Currie knocked on just before managing to ground the ball. With Warrington pinned back deep inside their own half, dreams became a reality for Hull as the final hooter sounded, confirming the Yorkshire sides’ first Wembley Challenge Cup win.

FULL TIME: Hull FC 12 -10 Warrington Wolves

Match Details

Hull FC – 12

Tries: Fonua, Shaul

Conversions:  2/2 Sneyd

Warrington Wolves – 10

Tries: Russell, Currie

Conversions:  1/2 Gidley

Penalty goals:  0/1 Gidley

HT: 6 – 0

Attendance: 76,235

Team Line-ups:
Hull FC – 1. Jamie Shaul, 19. Steve Michaels, 2. Mahe Fonua, 24. Kirk Yeaman, 5. Fetuli Talanoa, 3. Carlos Tumavae, 7. Marc Sneyd, 8. Scott Taylor, 9. Danny Houghton, 10. Liam Watts, 21. Sika Manu, 12. Mark Minichello, 11. Gareth Ellis (c) Replacements – 22. Josh Bowden, 23. Frank Pritchard, 30. Danny Washbrook, 15. Chris Green.

Warrington Wolves – 6. Stefan Ratchford, 5. Matty Russell, 24. Toby King, 4. Ryan Atkins, 3. Rhys Evans, 1. Kurt Gidley, 7. Chris Sandow, 8. Chris Hill (c), 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Ashton Sims, 11. Ben Currie, 12. Jack Hughes, 14. Joe Westerman. Replacements – 18. George King, 16. Brad Dwyer, 13. Ben Westwood, 33. Ryan Bailey.

Mrs.Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese

Posted on by

0

Number of dairy products sold sees a 5 year decline

The number of dairy products sold in the UK has seen a decrease of over 4% in the last 5 years, as numbers have dropped from 101million products to just over 98 million since 2011. The numbers have seen a steady decline, as prices on dairy products saw a significant increase.

Cuts to the price paid for milk caused mass protests from dairy farmers across the UK, who took to targeting supermarkets and clearing the shelves of milk cartons in what has been dubbed the “Milk Trolley Challenge”.

Although they did not participate in the “Milk Trolley Challenge”, Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese has been hit by the decline in dairy sales. The producers of homemade Lancashire cheese, which stocks the likes of Harrods, Booths and Waitrose, find themselves producing a slightly smaller number of produce, owing to the decline in sales.

The production of the cheese at Mrs. Kirkhams starts from milking their own herd of cows, adding whey, milling the cheese and packing ready for selling. The family run business has been making their own branded cheese for 38 years, and are now up to the third generation of Kirkham cheese makers.

These photographs show us a few stages of how this Lancashire family make cheese, from the cow to the finished product. Each process is lengthy and sometimes tedious, but it is all a part of the Lancashire heritage and what makes Mrs. Kirkham’s such a popular choice.

They are willing to make the changes to get dairy sales back on the rise, taking their produce to independent businesses and even food festivals in their spare time. Their breakout into both local and National supermarkets and shops has shown their desire to keep dairy sales steady and that there is still a market for homemade products, not just mass production foods.

In these photographs are:

  • Graham Kirkham (Managing Director and Chief Cheesemaker)
  • Mike Kirkham (Cheesemaker and packaging/distributor)
  • Amy (Cheesemaker)

All available to contact at 01772 865335.

 

PHOTOSTORY AVAILABLE TO SEE HERE

Wigan Warriors make it three in a row

Posted on by

0

Wigan Warriors run out 32-8 winners over Huddersfield Giants Wigan book first semi-final place The Warriors return to Old Trafford for the third time in as many years in search of some silverware. Wigan dominated for the majority of the … Continue reading →

Table toppers Chelsea sink four past Liverpool

Posted on by

0

  Chelsea win 4-0 Goals from Ji So-Yun, Kirby and Aluko Liverpool ladies sit 7th with Chelsea topping the table with one match to go Chelsea must go through last day drama once again in a two team shootout with … Continue reading →

Orange is the new black 

Posted on by

0

Orange is the new black has taken the World by storm over the past couple of years, its popularity soaring since Netflix premiered all its episodes. The series was inspired and based upon the life story of Piper Kerman, who … Continue reading →