Thatto Heath Crusaders 38 Haydock 18 THATTO Heath took revenge for their defeat on the opening day of the season by exacting a crushing defeat on their local rivals on Saturday.

Heath got the scoring under way through in-form winger Mike Woods who showed terrific strength to push over out wide after being put through by stand-off Barry Ashall.

On 18 minutes Haydock scored their only points of the half when Paul Ireland converted a penalty for lying on at the play-the-ball.

The Heath attack were tearing holes in the Haydock defence and were unlucky not to score on several occasions, before Ashall put centre Anthony Marsh through a gap to score next to the sticks.

Mike Woods converted to give Heath an eight-point lead.

In the final ten minutes of the half Thatto ran riot with their half-back pairing. Barry Ashall and Martin Harvey, punching holes in the now desperate Haydock defence.

Three tries in six minutes, two for centre Carl Cooper and one for full-back Jamie Hill shot Heath into a 24 point lead as Woods added two conversions.

Barry Ashall created the chances through intelligent kicking and accurate passing, Cooper's strength taking him over for his first and the second from a gift pass from Ashall as he collected his own chip over the advancing defence.

Hill's try came from another pass from Ashall has he ran through a massive gap out wide and had the quick thinking to dash under the sticks to simplify the conversion.

Despite this mauling it took strong defence from Heath to prevent Haydock crossing in the final minutes of the half. Several determined attacks were only repelled through strong tackling and quick defence.

After the break Haydock hit back in a 10-minute purple patch that had Heath reeling, tries from Gary Tither and Gary Lowe both came from quick hands down the line producing overlaps out wide both came after Heath's second rower Dave Lloyd was sin binned for a technical offence. Ireland added a conversion and at 26-12 Haydock must have had thoughts of a comeback. But the comeback hit the rails when Haydock suffered a double sin binning that reduced them to 11 men.

Martin Harvey took only seconds to take advantage as he threw two dummies to the defence before nipping through a gap to go over by the sticks. Mike Woods converted to regain the 20 point lead.

When they were returned to full strength Haydock scored their third try through Gary Lowe, Paul Ireland again adding the two.

Heath had the final word when impressive running by debutant Joey Harvey, put wing man Neil Prescott through for a try out wide. A touchline conversion by Woods put the seal on victory ofr Heath.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Heath's Lancashire Cup semi-final against Bobbie Goulding's Widnes St Maries should contact 0421 529 108 for details.

Canter, Levin and Berg men of the match were Barry Ashall and Martin Horton. Haydock A 26 Bank Quay Bulls 8

Haydock claimed top spot by inflicting the first league defeat of the season on the Bulls. They were given the ideal start when stand-off Lee Cooper went over for a try, converted by Neil Chisnall.

The Warrington side hit back immediately with a converted try. But in a fiery encounter Haydock took the lead when Simon Scott powered over and Chisnall added the extras.

A Chisnall penalty saw Haydock take a 14-6 interval lead.

And they went further ahead with another Chisnall two-pointer early in the second period.

Tries by Alan Clarke and Keith Dugdale sealed the issue.

The HItchen Security man of the match was Lee Cooper, with the Valley Taxis tackle shield going to Dave Burgess.

Thatto Heath under 16s 4

Blackbrook 30

A spirited second half performance from Crusaders was not enough to claw back Brook's 22-point first-half lead. Lone try scorer for Crusaders was Carl Anders and their man of the match was Gaz Friar.

Thatto Heath under 15s 42

Royton Tigers 8

Crusaders cruised to the top of the North West Counties Premier League with an outstanding performance. The half back partnership of Kays Welding top tackler Carl Forber and Kev Brown scored a try each. Man of the match winger Gaz Bowes grabbed four tries taking his tally to 28 so far with his centre Tim Critchley also scoring a four-pointer. Forward Mike Saunders capped a solid display with a try and Carl Forber kicked five conversions. Haydock under 15s 18

Leyland Warriors 14

Haydock just had the edge in a finely balanced encounter.

They surged into the lead when Jamie Pilling scored wide out. Andy Owen added to the lead, before a lack of discipline allowed Leyland back into the contest.

However, Haydock recovered with two well-taken tries by Rekon man of the match Wayne Dollin and Matthew Cunliffe slotted over a penalty. Chris Lloyd earned the Craddock and Lamb top tackler award.

Haydock under 14s nil

Leigh Rangers 20

Haydock lost far too much possession in this physical Lancashire Cup tie. Daniel Leicester was the Rekon man of the match, while Stephen Arrowsmith Kevin Hughes and Chris Dyson also did well. Top tackler Michael Moran and Daniel Rimmer worked hard in defence.

Haydock under 13s 4

Parkside Golborne 22

Try scorer and Sharpe man of the match was Sam Melia. The Pizza Perfect most improved was Martin Jones and Daniel Gregory was the Thirsty Yicker top tackler. Craig Usher was the unsung hero, while Stephen Gaskell earned the coaches award. Leyland Warriors under 11s 6

Thatto Heath Crusaders 36

Try scorers were Jamie Pennington (3), top tackler Danny Chantler (2), man of the match Ryan Robinson (2), Paul Eyres (1try, 1 goal) coaches award winner Ben Robinson (1 try, 1 goal) Sam Maxwell (1 try).

Leyland Warriors under nines 30

Thatto Heath Crusaders 42

This was an exciting game in which the Thatto Heath youngsters proved the stronger. Man of the match Matty Harris scored five tries and top tackler Chris Smith scored two. Others to score tries were coaches award winners Matty Devlin and Carl Forster. Unsung hero Adrian Briody and Danny Hughes. Most improved were Mike Parry and Chris Kinsey.

Haydock under nines 46

West Bank 32

Haydock bounced back after losing their previous three game with tries from Ryan Livesley (3), Thomas Colborn (2), Scott Davies, Joshua Taylor, Joshua Jackson, Michael Hallett and Joshua Glover (2). Thomas Taylor added a conversion.

Blackbrook under eights 6 Haydock 10

West Lancs man of the match Jordan Gibson scored all Haydock's points. Gary Anderton was top tackler, coaches award winner was Aaron Lloyd and most improved was Matty Herd.

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