Ruskin Park 12 Eagle 3

DESPITE their current problems, Eagle sportingly agreed to switch this outstanding league fixture to the near-perfect pitch at Ruskin Drive.

But despite having the advantage of size and strength in the pack, they were soundly beaten by a much younger and more mobile Ruskin outfit.

The closeness of the scoreline, and a penalty count of four to one in the home side's favour, in a try-less game, gives a false impression of the total dominance Ruskin had in this game.

They should have scored tries on a number of occasions in the first half, but squandered good positions each time. Martin Swift actually grounded the ball over the line on one occasion, only for the unsighted referee to rule it out, and it was left to the trusty boot of Stuart Fisher to give Ruskin a 6-3 half-time lead.

Two more penalty goals by Fisher were the only scores of the second half, despite Ruskin's continuing dominance, but the gaining of two valuable league points, which lifts the side to sixth position in the table, and the improvement in the general play of the pack, were the highlights.