Dalton 22

Haresfinch 2

FINCH saved the best till last, turning in a superb performance in their final league encounter to hand Dalton a rare home defeat.

Despite playing their first game for six weeks, Finch made a flying start. They raced into a 14-point lead with tries by winger Wayne Sumner, loose-forward Damian Clitheroe and centre John Jackson, with stand-off Anthony Seabrook adding a goal.

With better finishing though the visitors could have put the result beyond doubt but Dalton hit back with an unconverted try before the interval.

After the break the home side introduced a couple of substitutes -- one of them an amateur international -- and they turned the game around with three tries, two conversions and a penalty to lead 22-14.

Finch though bounced back when good breaks by full-back Dave Penny and second-row Ian Derbyshire paved the way for Seabrook to go under the sticks for a try which he converted himself.

Then with just a minute to go centre Ste Richards made the initial break down the left before sending Clitheroe bursting through for the winning try.

In a superb all-round performance by Finch, Derbyshire and Seabrook were adjudged joint winners of the Franco's Wholesale Ltd. man-of-the-match just ahead of Karl Farrall, Clitheroe and young winger Ste Thompson.