Ruskin Park 7 Anselmians 8

RUSKIN Park pushed unbeaten league leaders Anselmians all the way in this evenly-fought but entertaining game.

The home side opened brightly, with some good forward drives and lively back play, but persistent infringements took the pressure off the visitors.

Ruskin were unlucky on 25 minute when their first penalty kick of the game hit an upright and Anselmians cleared the danger.

However, continued pressure by Ruskin brought the only score of the half, when, from a break down the blind side, Dave Hale fed winger Greg Ashcroft who scored in the corner. An excellent conversion by Stu Fisher gave Ruskin a 7-0 half-time lead.

The second half continued as the first, with both sides giving nothing away. Ruskin though seemed to be penalised for trivial infringements and from one of these Anselmians opened their account with a penalty goal.

Then with just four minutes remaining the visitors snatched victory in controversial circumstances when their stand-off appeared to knock on, only for play to be waved on for the Anselmians wingman to score an unconverted try to clinch the narrowest of wins.