HENNING Kabaar scored a hat-trick of tries as Blackburn continued their impressive start to the season with a powerful performance against arch-rivals Burnley.

The fixture was played at its usual high tempo but played in fine spirits where good rugby was a welcome change from the 'thuggery' the game tends to produce.

After a frantic opening 20 minutes, Blackburn finally broke through Burnley's stubborn defence when fly half Matt Larkham darted through to

score.

Burnley had several chances to hit back, but were there own worst enemy when poor handling and some basic schoolboy errors gave Blackburn the upperhand.

Centre Kabaar scored his first with a wonderful individual break and from a quickly taken tap penalty, scrum half Richard Bradford cut through the ragged Burnley defence to extend the lead to 17-0 by the break.

The key to Blackburn's success lay with their forwards who dominated their opposite numbers in all phases of play, creating time and space for the back line to reek havoc.

And Blackburn's forwards continued to dominate after the break with the backs again seeing plenty of the ball.

Burnley's pack, led by Mark Nicholls and Carl Wilkins, worked tirelessly in defence but were unable to prevent the visitors from extending their lead.

Blackburn forward Adam Dickinson lead be example and continued to create the opportunities for the backs and kept Burnley on the defensive for long periods.

Kaabar scored two more tries which were carbon copies of his first to take the game away from the home side, who nevertheless stuck manfully to the task.

Paul Hartley and Robin Reid came on as substitutes but were unable to make much impact against a very well organised Blackburn side.

And an opportunistic try from the quick-thinking Matt Larkham and an elusive run and score from full back Mike Holden completed the scoring.

The spirit in which the game was played was epitomised when, following an injury to a Burnley winger, the visitors allowed the home side to bring back on Martin Guppy who had been substituted earlier in the game. Something that wouldn't usually happen in the games between these fierce local rivals.

BURNLEY THIRDS...0 BLACKBURN THIRDS...39