Haydock 32 Ulverston 20

HAYDOCK never got in top gear in this match and only made sure of victory in the last five minutes.

The Cumbrians had the better of the first 20 minutes and went into the lead after five minutes with a drop goal. Three minutes later they stretched the lead to 3-0 with a penalty.

Bloor, Kelsey and Neil Ireland tried hard to break through for the homesters with some strong running and Haydock were finally rewarded when Paul Ireland slotted home a penalty to make it 3-2 ater 15 minutes.

Ulverston kept hitting the Haydock line and only good defence kept them at bay although they did add another penalty to make it 5-2 on 22 minutes.

Basic errors by Haydock contributed to the pressure the home side were facing and Ulverston took their chance and scored near the posts to take an 11-2 lead after 28 minutes.

Haydock had it all to do now and finally began playing with style. A good run from substitute Pearson broke the Ulverston defence from 20 metres out, with Ireland's conversion reducing the deficit to 11-8 at the interval.

Ulverston began the second half with a drop goal on 42 minutes before good work from Bloor, Marsh and Abbott paved the way for Boland to score. Ireland again converted to put the home side in front for the first time.

A penalty to the Cumbrians levelled it at 14-each then good passing saw Boland send in Bloor for a try. But the try of the match was claimed by Haydock full-back Haughey who stepped and weaved his way through seven defenders to score. Ireland again converted to make it 26-14 with 20 minutes to play.

Ulverston though reduced the deficit to just six points with a converted try.

After going close on a couple of occasions, Haydock finally made sure five minutes from time when Boland side-stepped his way over from 10 metres out.

Haydock A 28 Ashton 2

After a poor start, the Haydock second string eventually overcame a plucky Ashton outfit.

Keith Dugdale, Mike Matthews, Dave Owen and Lee Cooper scored tries, with Neil Chisnall adding four goals and Geoff Newton two drop goals.

The Frodsham Partners man-of-the-match was Brian Connaire.