Ruskin Park 2nds 0 Eagle 5

DUE to the cancellation of the 1st XV fixture, Ruskin found themselves up against a strengthened Eagle outfit, and although under pressure for long periods, managed to keep the margin of defeat to a single try.

On several occasions, they also went very close to an equalising score, and on balance, may just about have deserved a draw.

Badly outweighed in both the pack and backs, Ruskin were soon on the defensive, but thanks to some outstanding tackling by back-row forwards, Mitchell and Harden, coupled with some long, relieving kicks to touch by stand-off Gary Smith, Ruskin managed to keep their line intact until almost half-time.

Then an unfortunate mistake at the base of a scrum gifted a try to the Eagle scrum-half. A long break by Carlisle almost immediately brought an equaliser, but Gary Pennington was held up over the line.

In the second half, the introduction of Dave Birch at stand-off brought about an improvement in Ruskin's attacking skills, and both he and Greg Ashcroft went close. Unfortunately, both were thwarted by some good last-ditch tackling by the Eagle full back.