Pilks leave it too late

FOR the second consecutive week Recs got off to a poor start, finishing the stronger but leaving themselves too much to do in the second period.

The home side adapted better to the heavy conditions and took the lead after five minutes with a penalty goal. Orrell increased their advantage on 12 minutes when, after constant pressure, the ball was moved out to the right wing for a converted try.

Despite solid graft from forwards Ian Connolly, Dave Hoghton and Keiran Lacey Recs had great difficulty making any headway although on one rare attack centre Andy Traverse was unfortunate not to score following a good run.

But Orrell returned to the attack and scored two further tries in four minutes leading up to the break to lead 18-0 at the interval.

The introduction of substitutes Andy Fairhurst and Graham Cranney injected some life into Recs in the second half, while second-row John Rees made three good breaks, all of which should have resulted in scores, only for the final pass to go astray on each occasion.

But it was Orrell who increased their lead 12 minutes from time when their lively right centre crossed for a try.

To their credit Recs kept plugging away and they finally got the try they deserved when Martin Hardman collected a kick and put centre Darren Haigh in wide out.

And two minutes later the City Roaders were in again when stand-off Mark Forber chipped over the defensive line and swapped passes with Fairhurst before diving in for a try which he goaled himself. Once again though it was too little, too late.

The St Helens Roofing man of the match went to the tireless Keiran Lacey, the Mike Wilson, Painter and Decorator players award went to prop Ian Connolly and there were good efforts also Dave Houghton, Aidy Burns and Andy Fairhurst.