LANCASHIRE Lynx's season got off to a losing start when they went down 33-20 to the re-formed Sheffield Eagles.

Lynx held a two point advantage at half time, but the Eagles turned on the style in the second half to run out worthy winners. On the evidence of this game it will again be a long hard struggle for Lynx to make any impression in the Northern Ford Premiership.

After the game Lynx coach Steve Hampson said: "It was always on the cards that we would run out of steam in the second half due to the problems of only bringing in players in the last two weeks. Most of the players have only done ball work and we will now have to focus on the fitness side in the next few weeks."

He also said: "I was disappointed with the referee's performance especially lying on and the 10 metre rule overall I don't think he did us any favours." He had praise for some of the players especially Australian stand off Jason Demitri who impressed on his debut and youngster Paul Rostance on the wing."

Both teams looked impressive in the early stages, but despite coming close neither side could take the upper hand. However, after a spell of pressure Sheffield broke the deadlock in the 13th minute with a try from John Bruce converted by Mark Aston.

Lynx hit back to press the visitors back and they were ahead on the half hour after two tries in five minutes from Paul Rostance and Jason Demitri the second after great work by Dave Murray had opened up the Eagles defence. Both teams at times looked disorganised, but generally defences remained on top for the rest of the half to leave Lynx with an 8-6 advantage. Sheffield dominated the early proceedings in the second half and they soon went ahead with a try from the impressive Ian Brown. This gave the visitors the confidence they required and they blitzed Lynx with four more tries between the 52nd and 68th minutes from John Strange who went the length of the field. Gavin Brown, Chris Robinson and Micky Johnson, with Gavin Brown adding three conversions.

Lynx were totally shell-shocked by now and they produced very little threat to the Sheffield try line. Gavin Brown added a drop goal six minutes from time for the visitors but it was Lynx who had the last word with two by Paul Roberts which gave the scoreline a respectable look.

Man of the match for Lynx was Tommy Hodgkinson.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.