Liverpool St Helens 45 West Hartlepool 17 LSH ran out easy winners of a game that had looked to be in the balance at half time.

LSH made the best possible start when the two centres Alan Cross and Mike Hitchen combined for Hitchen to burst through and score in the second minute. Simon Worsley converted.

On ten minutes Cross linked up with winger Danny Jones to release Dave Lupton to race up the touchline to give LSH a 12-0 lead. The visitors belied their lowly position and made the most of some sloppy LSH handling to score three tries, all from their forwards, through Robinson, Davies and Webb. In an unsatisfactory first half LSH were fortunate to be just in front 18-17 courtesy of two penalty goals from Worsley.

At the break acting manager Tony Collins introduced Sean Casey and Njike Tchakoute from off the bench and LSH gradually took control. With Alan Marsh continuing his good form and the experienced Dave Lupton dominating all pack play LSH proved much too good for their North East rivals.

Chris Walker scored within a minute of the re-start following a move all along the back line and Dave Lupton scored his second try of the game following a controlled eight-man shove. Worsley converted and added another penalty and the home crowd, full of expectation at three o'clock, could now breath a little easier. The LSH lead was extended when Danny Jones raced through for a score made by Casey and in the final minutes Casey himself finished off good work from the impressive Mike Hitchen.

This win makes it four out of four for the Moss Laners and a National League Division Three (North) position of third is a suitable reward for the hard work and effort now evident in all aspects of the club. However with the next two league games against the two sides above them, Doncaster and Darlington, the true test is yet to come.

Meanwhile there is RFU Knockout Cup Round Two action this Saturday at Moss Lane against Hull Ionians, kick off 3pm.