West Bank 10, Pilkington Recs 56

TITLE-chasing Recs maintained their challenge by completing a comfortable league double against the struggling Widnes side.

After an early spell of aggression from the homesters, Recs settled into their attacking play, prompted initially by scrum-half Dave Price who created two quick tries for lively hooker Andy Fairhurst.

Quick thinking first saw the number nine plunge over from acting half back and minutes later he collected a bomb to touch down. Stand-off Mark Forber added both conversions.

Following a quieter spell, Price again created a score on 30 minutes as he drew two defenders before slipping an inside pass to prop forward Mike Dennett and he dived in to score.

Recs defence was moving up well and contained the homesters in their own half for long periods. Five minutes from the interval Mark Forber intercepted a pass and raced 40 yards to score his first try. He added the conversion and two minutes later kicked his fifth goal courtesy of a penalty conversion to give the visitors a 26-nil interval lead.

Recs started the second half slowly and West Bank took advantage as their second row man made the most of an overlap to cross for a converted try.

Recs lifted their game almost immediately and Forber and Dennett combined to send centre Andy Traverse striding through a gap to score. Forber converted and in the next set of six added a penalty goal.

Prop forward Shaun Allen was by now dictating play and one of his runs started the next score which was probably the try of the game. There was good work from Recs, Price and Albin in putting Traverse in for his second score. Forber converted.

Allen created two more tries in two minutes, firstly for John Rees and secondly for wingman Jeff Albin who squeezed in at the corner.

Eight minutes from the end Forber created and scored his second try with a neat chip kick.

The Specialist Fireplace Supplies man of the match was Mark Forber, with big contributions from Allen, Fairhurst, Dennett and Price. Salford under 14s 34, Pilks 6

Pilks were unable to turn their pressure into points - which cost them dear. Their try came from Bargain Booze man of the match T. Hill, converted by K. Langley. Others in form were A. Parr, I. Langley, D. Halliwell, J. Sheffield, L. McMillan, M. Davies and S. Owen.

Pilks under 13s 40, Hindley 4

Pilks dominated from the kick-off and recorded tries through K. Mason R. Burkhill, L. Davies, R. Griffiths, Peter St Helens Motor Auctions man of the match J. Smith, and D. Mason. Conversions were added by E. Slater and R. Pilling.

Pilks under 12s 18, Leigh East Lions nil

Pilks started the second half of the season in fine style. Their tries came from Ian Redcliffe, top tackler Danny Colquitt and James Campbell, with Anthony Stanley adding three goals. Man of the match was Craig Critchley and coaches award winner was Martin Langley. Andy Melia was most improved. Awards were sponsored by Pilkington plc.

Eccles under 10s 4, Pilks 34

Recs soon blew the cobwebs aaway after the Christmas break and scored as early as the third minute.

Tries came from man-of-the-match Tom Armstrong (2), Matthew Holding, Chris Roberts, Sandy Lee and Gareth Bamber. Unsung hero was Andrew Ranson, most improved Stu McDonald and Kurtis Marsh, top tackler Danny Filson. Coaches awards went to Matthew Holding and Danny Lynch. Awards were sponsored by Dietiker Metals.

Recs under 10s A 38, Bury Lions 8

Try scorers for Pilks were man of the match Sean Ashall (3), Mike Cottom, top tackler Stu Birch, Terry Riley and performer of the week Ste Keane. Coaches awards went to Karl Jones and Mike Cottom.

Pilks Recs under nines 30, Bamber Bridge 16

Pilks resumed the season with a win against a Bamber Bridge side that never gave up. Points came from coaches award winner Ben Topping, top tackler Liam Critchley, Adam Moss and Mark Hamon scoring a try and goal each. Dean Jones got a try and Ryan Hilliard a goal. Man of the match was Darren Quirk, while most improved was Danny Hamon.

Royton Tigers under eights 4, Pilks 32

Tries came from man-of-the-match Tom Marren (4), coaches award winners Mike Wright (2), most improved Josh Greaves, Liam Hill, David Knapper and James Axon. Chris Lee was top tackler, while Mike Sexton and Beth Clitheroe also impressed.

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