Blackbrook 18 Oulton Raiders 46

PROMOTION chasers Oulton predictably proved too strong for Blackbrook but the injury-hit home side staged a spirited second-half fightback to give the final scoreline a respectable look.

The Raiders opened in impressive fashion, racing into a 22-nil lead inside the first quarter with tries by loose-forward Mick Bamford, wingers Steve McGreavey and Lee Hall and centre Paul Halloran, with full-back Gary Robb adding three goals. Brook hit back when a good break by hard-working second-row Ste Molyneux paved the way for centre Chris Ratcliffe to outpace the cover for a well-taken try which stand-off Ian Callaghan goaled from close to the touchline. But Oulton quickly re-established their superiority with touchdowns by Robb and Hall.

Prop Gary Holmes and stand-off Chris Whitehead crossed early in the second half for the visitors to make it 40-6 and at that stage it seemed just a matter of how many points they would win by.

To their credit though Brook refused to throw in the towel and they were the better side for most of second half. They recorded their second try when a powerful burst up the middle by Callaghan was well supported by half-back partner Gary Holden who scampered over to the right of the posts. Then substitute Steve McMenemy crossed wide out, with the sure-footed Callaghan adding both conversions.

Oulton had the final say, though, when prop Danny Burton powered over from short range in the last minute and Robb added the goal.

Blackbrook Royals under 11s 20

Thatto Heath Crusaders 18

Two evenly matched sides battledout a fine game. Royals' S.O. Consulting man of the match George Stokes grabbed two tries and others came from Ashley Butler and Kurt Haggerty. Will Abbott topped the tackle count, while Rachel Thomas and Adam Twamley also did well.

Orrell St James under

nines 16 Royals 4

Royals bowed out of the North West Counties Cup. Liam Taylor scored the Brook try, while man of the match was Rob Murphy, top tackler Kyle Stephenson and most improved Danny Leach.

Royals under eights 36

Latchford 6

Royals' tries came from top tackler Nathan Goodwin, Daniel Craven, Chris Ford, man-of-the-match Liam Holland, Jordan Kilbride and Dane Hodgkinson. Scott Conroy earned the coaches award.