Brook take a turn for the worse

But the outcome could have been so different if Brook had taken some of their scoring opportunities before the break.

On numerous occasions they stretched the visitors' defence only for them to take the wrong option of to send the final pass astray.

In contrast Barrow Island took both of their first-half chances . The first came after seven minutes when full-back Dean Sharp finished off a crisp four-man handling move with a try under the posts.

Scrum-half Mike Charles added the extras.

Seven minutes later Charles edged Barrow Island further ahead with a penalty goal and Paul Toole replied with a similar effort for Brook.

Ten minutes before the break Charles launched a bomb and prop forward Paul Wilcock collected the bounce to score near the posts. Charles' converted and his two drop goals in as many minute gave the Cumbrians a 16-2 interval lead.

Three minutes into the second half Charles broke down the left flank and sent Sharp racing in for his second try. Charles converted.

But Brook showed their fighting spirit, when skipper Phil Smith touched down near the posts, allowing Toole an easy conversion.

Brook maintained the pressure and they were rewarded when Darren Mitchell paved the way for a fine try for Paul Toole.

Brook continued to attack and Islanders' Wilcock was dismissed for a high tackle on Ian Buckley.

The Construction Power Services man of the match was Darren Mitchell. Batley Boys under 16s nil

Blackbrook Royals 40

Royals joined Milford at the top of the National Youth League with this comprehensive victory at Mount Pleasant. They led 30-nil at the break and added two further tries in the second half. Tries came from man of the match John Clough, outstanding centres Mike Platt and Mark Leonard, Mark Costello, Phil Anderton and Danny Atherton (2), while Mark Gibson landed six goals.

Royals under 15s 6

Oldham St Annes 10

The effort of coach Eric Saunders to put together a virtually new team received its reward when Royals belatedly got their season off to a start. Captain Carl Cheetham was man of the match, Chris Springford scored all the points, while Andy Tinsley, Shaun Dugdale, Andy Burrows and David Baines all played well.

Thatto Heath Crusaders

under 14s 4 Royals 46

Royals turned on the power to win this Lancashire Cup tie. Man of the match Ian Gwilliam scored a hat-trick, with James Roby, James Milligan, Craig Littler, David Gwilliam and Neil Rigby also touching down. Paul Crook kicked seven goals.

Wigan St Judes under 13s 4

Royals 42

Dane Shepherd grabbed five tries and man of the match Philip McSpirit claimed four. Phil Platt added three goals and David Bates took the Stephensons BMH top tackler award. Royton Tigers under 12s nil

Royals 30

Royals had little difficulty winning this Lancashire Cup tie. Try scorers were Martyn Bradshaw, Scott Holland, Paddy Flynn, Chris Donnelly, Paul Clough, Liam Armson and Chris Brown. Mike Webster was the Franco Ltd man of the match, while Mike Pilling earned the coaches award.

Royals under 11s 20

Wigan St Cuthberts 24

Royals fine run finally came to an end. Man of the match Dan Fairhurst, top tackler Will Abbott and Kurt Haggerty (2) were the Royals scorers.

Royals under 10s 34

Ince St Williams 4

Co-op man of the match Jamie Foster scored two tries as Royals maintained their impressive run. Liam Brown (2), Gareth Lake, Robert Anders and top tackler Gary Wheeler also scored and there were good debuts from Alex Lowe, Chris Williams and Joe Williams. Beth Stott took the coaches award.

Royals under nines 34

Wigan St Cuthberts 4

Danny Leach (3), man of the match Josh Cieslar, Liam Taylor, Luke Davies, Ryan Liptrot, Dean Livesey and most improved Lawrence Howard scored Royals' tries.

Royals under eights 32

Leigh Rangers 4

Man of the match Chris Ford (3) top tackler Nathan Goodwin (2) and Dane Hodgkinson scored for Royals, while Jordan Kilbride also caught the eye.

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