Roose Pioneers 25 Pilkington Recs 16

A LACKLUSTRE first-half display cost Recs dearly as they suffered yet another away defeat.

Roose opened the scoring with a long-range interception try and although the visitors fought back with forwards Dave Houghton, Ian Connolly and Neil Morris making good ground, all they had to show for their efforts was a penalty goal by full-back Alan Fletcher.

Two further converted tries and a penalty goal midway through the half put Roose firmly in control, but just before the interval Recs were given a glimmer of hope when a trademark Connolly bust and offload found Craig Burrows who sent debutant winger Gareth Griffiths in at the corner to make it 20-6.

A half-time reshuffle found Recs playing with greater confidence and cohesion. Two Fletcher penalty goals closed the gap to 10 points and then following a midfield surge by Sean Allen, the full-back was in support to dart beneath the sticks to score. He added the conversion and Recs were right back in it at 20-16.

In the last ten minutes the City Road men tried everything to grab that vital score, but their anxiety to do so resulted in two great chances being missed and a Roose drop goal and an opportunist try finally sealed their fate.

The St Helens Roofing Man of the Match for Pilks was prop Dave Houghton, while the Mike Wilson, Painter and Decorator match day award went to Sean Allen.