Thatto Heath Crusaders 24 West Bowling 24

THESE two teams will do battle again this Saturday after this National Cup second round tie ended in total confusion at Red Rocks.

They should have played extra time but owing to a mix-up over scores the visitors left the field at the final whistle and were reluctant to return.

West Bowling caught Heath cold in the opening 30 minutes and established a 16-0 lead with tries by second-row Simon Owen and winger Lee Innes (2), plus two goals by scrum half, Dean Garside.

But Heath gradually got themselves back into the game with tries by hooker Darren Mitchell and winger Neil Prescott and a Wayne Jackman conversion.

West Bowling extended their lead with a Garside penalty five minutes into the second half but Heath replied three minutes later when centre Jamie Hill beat three defenders to ground next to the sticks. Jackman again added the two.

Another Garside penalty edged West Bowling ahead again but a second try, by Mitchell, capping a fine individual performance, saw Heath take the lead for the first time. Jackman's third conversion and a penalty success gave Heath a four-point lead.

In the last minute though West Bowling winger Chris Scott crossed in the corner but the all-important conversion attempt went wide and everyone thought that we were in for 20 minutes of extra time -- except the referee!

Marple men-of-the-match for Heath were Gary Forber (forwards) and Chris Honey (backs).