Thatto Heath Crusaders 56 Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 10 LEAGUE leaders Crusaders powered back from an early two-point deficit to see off the third-placed Hawks with a 10-try display.

A Jon Nicholls penalty after only two minutes gave the visitors a flying start, but Heath quickly hit back with a try by second-row Paul Hatton, converted by full-back Andy Benson. And four minutes later centre Jamie Hill went virtually the full length of the field for the first of his four touchdowns.

Centre Anthony Marsh then paved the way for Benson to cross for a try on the 20-minute mark.

The Hawks tried valiantly to stem the flow and Nicholls took full advantage of a kind ricochet on the last tackle to dive over next to the posts, but he failed to convert his own score.

With five minutes of the half remaining a splendid break by Heath hooker Darren Mitchell punched a hole in the Hawks' defensive line and Hill was on hand to grab his second try.

With the second half only three minutes old Heath continued to amass points, this time scrum-half Barry Ashall was the provider and second-row Dave Lloyd the beneficiary as the pace and power of the in-form pack man enabled him to brush aside the Sheffield defence.

On the 55-minute mark Hill was on hand again, this time in support of a Lloyd bust that let the centre in for his hat-trick.

A brief resurgence by the Hawks saw them grab a consolation try through replacement winger Mark Thomas, before the final quarter saw Heath up their already impressive scoring rate to a point a minute.

Firstly, Lloyd grabbed his second, again using his strength and pace to blast a hole through the Hawks' defence. Then another spectacular effort from his own half saw Hill in for his fourth try of the afternoon to cap a brilliant personal performance.

In the dying minutes of the game the now-exhausted Sheffield defence were being dragged from pillar to post by every Heath attack and winger Neil Prescott had just too much for his opposite number as he eased past weary defenders to score near the sticks. All the final four tries were converted by winger Mike Woods to add to his ever-growing personal tally for the season.

The final score deservedly went to centre Anthony Marsh, courtesy of Lloyd.

Marple Computers men-of-the-match awards went to Jamie Hill (backs) and Dave Lloyd (forwards).

On Saturday, Heath are at home to National Conference Premier side Saddleworth Rangers in the last 16 of the National Cup.