GOLBORNE Parkside won a GMB National Cup epic against bank Quay Bulls by 20-16.

Bank Quay came with the reputation of being the North West Counties highest scorers, current Division Two leaders and undefeated in the league for two and a half years.

Golborne, in comparison, are current leaders in Division Four and boast the best defensive record in the whole of NWCARL.

A couple of early errors gave the Bulls the advantage and they took the territorial opportunity to score a unconverted try to lead 4-0.

Golborne suffered a blow when they lost veteran prop forward Gary Dooney with a badly cut thumb.

Golborne took the lead after 26 minutes after hooker Philip Shaw finished off some good team work with a try goaled by Andy Simms. Four minutes later Bank Quay regained the lead with another unconverted try after another Golborne error. Golborne finished the half on the attack and made 8-8 when Andy Simms added a penalty goal.

Bank Quay hit them hard when they scored a try and goal to take a 14-8 lead with just two minutes of the second half gone. Golborne reduced the deficit with another penalty goal from Simms 3 minutes later only for the Bulls to restore their six point advantage with a penalty goal of their own.

With 20 minutes remaining Golborne reduced the lead to 16-14. After good work from full back David Long, substitute Leon Davy put second row Kevin Marsden over for an unconverted try.

Golborne scented victory. With 12 minutes remaining they regained the lead with the best try of the game from Craig Timmins.

Bank Quay fought hard to retain their unbeaten record but they could find no way through the Golborne defence.

Golborne scored again when Byrne raced over only to be recalled for an earlier knock on but a last minute penalty from Simms clinched it.

Man of the match in a brilliant team performance was scrum half Simms closely followed by Kevin Coward and Craig Timmins.

This Saturday Golborne are away to third placed Higginshaw in an important league fixture while the second team are at home to Addlington Rangers.

St Cuthbert's U18s 22 Golborne18

Golborne visited St Cuthbert's in their last game before their BARLA Lancashire Cup Final against Blackbrook.

Despite missing several key players they still gave a good account of themselves taking an early 4-0 lead with a unconverted try from Danny Byrne

Just before half time St Cuthbert's took the lead 6-4 and further extended this to 12-4 with another converted try. However Golborne hit back with a Craig Ashall try converted by Natham Bell to make the score 10-12.

End to end rugby continued and Cuthbert's scored again to edge a 16-10 lead but once again Golborne hit back with a try from Tom Smith to close the gap. Cuthbert's scored another converted try and again Golborne hit back with Ashall's second try to trail 22-18 and despite all their efforts Cuthbert's held on for victory.

Golborne U12s 28 Chorley 0

Golborne U12s reached the next round of the cup with a good win over Chorley. Man of the match was Anthony Watkinson who had a storming defensive game and was well supported by Jack Hughes, Zac Kirkham and Keiron Bolger. Best supporting player was Alex Gerrard and most improved was Stan Gittings.