Brook in the wars

But their commitment and defensive work was outstanding particularly during the opening 20 minutes of the first half and the final 20 minutesof the second half.

Blackbrook showed true grit from the start. Hard tackling from Dave Ryan, Phil Smith, Neil Pook and company along with Paul Crellin - who chipped in with a man of the match performance on his first team debut, quickly created frustration in the visitors' ranks.

This was emphasised on 12 minutes when an enforced error in front of the Blackbrook posts saw the ball squirm free from Paul Marwood's grasp into the eager hands of Brook's Ian Marsh. He quickly fed speedy centre Mike Maloney who outstripped two opponents on a 75-metre run to the home posts. Ian Marsh gave Brook a six-point advantage with the conversion.

The loss of prop-forward Ian Buckley with a leg injury midway through the first half was a severe blow to Blackbrook and Heworth quickly exploited the situation to level the scores with a converted try by prop forward Jason Gatus.

Heworth eventually forged ahead with further tries from second row man Brendan Carlyle and Gatus again plus a Carl Potter conversion to lead 16-6 after 35 minutes.

But the visitors regained their composure and reduced the deficit two minutes later with a second opportunist try from Mike Maloney. A well judged diagonal kick from back row forward Dave Ryan caused immense problems for winger Mark Gregan deep inside home territory and Maloney swooped to regain possession and race 40 metres to the home posts. He reduced Heworth's half time advantage to four points at 16-12 with the easy conversion.

Heworth had the better of the opening exchanges after the break and tries from substitute Dan Briggs and winger Gavin Grant midway through the second period gave them valuable breathing space at 26-12.

But the visitors showed tremendous spirit to strike back with another splendid try, courtesy of wingman Mark Dickinson. The Blackbrook three-quarter quickly latched on to a diagonal kick from Ian Marsh, hacked ahead and despite the close attention of full-back Richard Darling controlled the ball impressively at speed to score beneath the posts. Chris Radcliffe converted.

Heworth were restricted to several solo runs in midfield in the closing stages and needed a tremendous defensive effort themselves to hold Blackbrook at bay. Blackbrook under 18s 10 Normanton 18

For the opening 35 minutes Blackbrook took the game to their Wakefield rivals in this national youth league premier division encounter at Boardmans Lane, and enjoyed a 4-nil lead.

However, a injury to Lee Marsh reduced their ranks to 12 and eventually the pendulum swung the visitors' way.

Normanton eventually found their rhythm after the break and exploited their numerical advantage to the full as they grabbed 18 points whilst restricting the homesters to just six points in the second half despite the sterling efforts of Chris Hallard, Paul Saunders, Andy Shaw and David Llewellyn for the homesters.

Llewellyn broke the first-half deadlock with a solitary try to edge the homesters ahead at the break.

Andy Shaw increased Brook's lead with an early penalty goal in the second half before Mike Booth opened the visitors account with an unconverted try.

Andy Shaw responded with the homesters second try, but it was Normanton who finished the strongest with further tries from Mike Booth, John Wheeldon and Anthony Papworth with Darren Dean adding one conversion.

The Blackbrook/Construction Power Services man of the match was Chris Hallard.

Crosfields under 14s 10

Blackbrook Royals 15

Royals once again showed great spirit as for the seventh time this season they recovered from a half-time deficit to maintain their 100 per cent record, and with rivals St Judes slipping up at Thatto Heath, they went top of the league.

In a fine team performance David Gwilliam took the man of the match award with James Roby, Thomas Cunningham and Neil Rigby scoring the tries, while Paul Crook landed a conversion and drop goal.

Leigh East under 13s 24

Royals 24

In an end to end thriller Royals took the lead in injury time only to allow Leigh East to score and claim a share of the spoils which in truth they fully deserved. Philip McSpirit (2), Danny Leigh and Makerfield Timber top tackler Dane Shepherd scored Royal tries with BICC Components man of the match Philip Platt capping a strong display with two conversions. Rylands under 11s 22 Royals 26

A blockbusting four-try performance from man of the match Kurt Haggerty saw Royals home in this nailbiter which was finally settled in the last two minutes. Bobbie Littler also scored while Dan Fairhurst was outstanding in defence and Keiron Naylor was a much improved player.

In a repeat of last season's cup final Royals emerged victorious with their best effort of the season so far.

Tries came from the outstanding Gary Wheeler, Chris Howell, Jamie Foster and Robert Anders while Chris Magrath was also in top form.

Rylands under nines 12 Royals 30

Owen Livesey nipped in for a hat-trick as Royals continued their impressive form. Pacy Liam Taylor and Josh Cieslar added the other tries, and there were good performances from Kyle Stevenson, Danny Leach, Stephen Raftery and Luke Davies.

Ince St Williams under

eights 10 Royals 40

Royals dominated this encounter with Chris Ford, Alex Holland, top tacklers Nathan Goodwin and Daniel Craven, Jordan Kilbride, Dane Hodgkinson and man of the match Liam Weston getting on the scoresheet. Matthew Topping picked up the coaches award.

Halton Hornets under sevens 22 Royals 18

Royals enjoyed an outstanding game with an excellent Halton side. Adam Swift (2) and Oliver Prescott got the tries.

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