De La Salle (Salford) 17 Ruskin Park 15

RUSKIN visited previously unbeaten De La Salle with unavailability and late cry-offs resulting in numerous positional changes for what turned out to be a torrid 'friendly'.

The visitors' defensive qualities were tested to the full in the first half which resulted in two tries for the home side, Ruskin making few attacks although with better finishing they could have cut the deficit.

The second half opened brightly for Ruskin with an unconverted try by Dave Birch following a flowing back move. And more pressure by Ruskin's forwards paved the way for him to score his second try, converted by Mike Pilkington.

From this point though the game deteriorated with two De La Salle players being sin-binned.

Despite being down to 13 men, the home side scored an unconverted try in the corner.

Ruskin hit back immediately with a penalty goal, and they applied almost continuous pressure, but were unable to score further vital points.

The game finished with De La Salle having a player dismissed and another sin-binned and credit must be given to the Ruskin players for their discipline in the face of severe provocation.