Parr Hare & Hounds 30, Salem Hornets 12

HOUNDS produced their best display of the season to complete a league double over fellow strugglers Salem.

Hornets arrived with a big squad and bolstered by a recent victory over Saddleworth, Hounds' conquerors of the previous week. Their high hopes of victory though were dashed by a determined home side whose aggressive tackling was a feature throughout.

This strong defence forced a number of Salem errors in the first half and it was from one of these that Hounds opened the scoring with a try by stand-off Wayne Ashcroft. Others followed from centre Paul Thompson, after good handling, and skipper Karl Grounds, with scrum-half Kevin Parylo adding two conversions to make it 16-0. Salem finished the half the stronger though and Hounds had to defend desperately in the last 10 minutes to keep their line intact.

With the strong wind at their backs after the break, Hornets must have had high hopes of turning the tables but it was Hounds who increased their lead with further tries by Grounds and powerful centre Ian Sherwood, the latter from a pinpoint pass by veteran loose-forward Frank Martin. Parylo added one conversion and at 26-0 Hounds looked home and dry.

Salem refused to lie down though and they staged a mini revival with two converted tries midway through the second half.

Hounds steadied themselves in the final quarter, however, and they completed the scoring when quick thinking by Martin sent hard-working prop Mark Houghton through a huge gap to race 40 yards to score.

Best for Hounds in a good all-round effort were winger Mike Corrigan, Houghton, hooker Andy Knapper, Sherwood and substitute Stu Weir.

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