Brook fall at the first hurdle

THE spectators who braved the bitterly cold weather saw Brook fall at the first hurdle in the Slk Cut Challenge Cup

An excellent Waterhead defensive display topped up with flashes of attacking flair shattered Brook's dreams for the current season. The visitors' ability to make the ball available from the tackle, and to make passes stick for most of the time also gave them an extra edge.

The homesters also had several chances to wrap the game up, but squandered them.

This all-action match was indeed a credit to all 34 players involved, but in the end it was the 'Golden boot' of former professional Jon Perks, with three successes from four attempts, plus a crucial drop goal that eventually secured Waterhead a place in the second round and a home draw against Millom.

Waterhead had the better of the opening exchanges with the strong running of Jon Eastwood, Stuart Conway and Paul Greener frequently testing the home defence in midfield, while Phil Smith, Gary Talbot, Andy Tucker and Darren Mitchell subsequently caused similar problems for the visitors. The two evenly matched sides produced some free-flowing rugby that delighted the spectators. But the first gilt-edged opportunity fell to the homesters on 15 minutes. A try looked imminent as they broke clear in midfield with the visitors defence at full stretch. But the ball carrier chose the wrong option and was caught in possession, with a three-man overlap out wide on the left just 10 metres from an open line.

Even so, both lines remained intact and just a solitary penalty goal from Waterhead's Jon Perks on 39 minutes separated the teams at the break.

First blood in the second half was going to be crucial and the visitors made the vital breakthrough on 52 minutes with a Paul Lord try goaled by Jon Perks.

The visitors then threw their complete armoury at the Brook line from the restart in a spell of sustained pressure, but the homesters showed tremendous commitment to hold out. Mark Dickinson in particular, distinguished himself on two occasions with tremendous try-saving tackles when a score looked imminent. However, Jon Perks edged Waterhead further ahead with a penalty goal on 58 minutes before rounding off the scoring with a 65th minute drop goal.

The recipient of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup man of the match award was Jon Eastwood (Waterhead).

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