Orrell Anvils 10 Ruskin Park 5

RUSKIN made an early exit from this season's Lancs Plate competition at a wet and windy Edge Hill Road.

Facing the elements in the first half, Ruskin were often under severe pressure. But thanks to some sterling defence they managed to restrict the home side to a single converted try and a penalty goal.

After the interval Ruskin had more of the game but the loss of David Hale early in the half was a bitter blow.

The Orrell eight began to dominate both scrums and mauls and the Ruskin cause was not helped by some strange refereeing decisions. Ten minutes from the end, Dave Birch went under the posts only to have the 'score' disallowed for a forward pass, but Ruskin plugged away to the end and in injury time Dave Donovan scored a try in the corner after some neat handling in the backs.

This was, however, a consolation score and the Orrell side deservedly progressed through to the next round