Eccles 32, Blackbrook 14

INJURY-hit Brook made Confernece first division high-flyers Eccles fight all the way for this success.

Their 16-man squad never shirked its task, especially the pack, superbly led by stand-in skipper Steve Molyneux and man-of-the-match Ian Buckley.

Half-backs Andy Shaw and Gary Holden were also on song and wingers Mike Maloney and Mark Dickinson threatened on the flanks.

Eccles appeared to be coasting to a comnfortable victory as they led 22-nil at the break. But Brook were a different

outfit after the interval as they tackled with more gusto and supported the man with the ball.

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening stages, but Eccles' Jake Johnson broke the deadlock midway through the first half. Dean Pickup converted.

Further tries from Steve Fearnley, Chris Smith and Chris Hill, plus two Pickup conversions, added to Brook's plight.

However, Brook stepped up a gear in the second half and Ian Buckley opened their account on 48 minutes.

Eccles responded with a converted try by Dean Pickup and a try by Steve Morley.

Buy Brook refused to throw in the towel and hit back with tries by Alan Barker and Mark Dickinson, one of them converted.

Blackbrook under 18s 28, Batley Boys 12

Brook's tackling was the key feature of this National Premier League victory.

Andy Shaw opened the scoring with a try converted by Lee Marsh, who extended the lead to 12 points with a try he also converted minutes later.

Tony Swift was next on the scoresheet with a try converted by Marsh.

Batley responded with a converted try early in the second half. But Brook struck back when Chris Hallard went over for an unconverted try.

Batley scored a second converted try before Andy Shaw sealed the issue with a try converted by Marsh. Tony Swift received the Blackbrook/Construction Power Services man of the match award.

Leigh Miners Rangers under 14s 10, Blackbrook Royals 11

Royals showed great spirit to claw back a 10-nil half-time deficit. And a late drop goal by Paul Crook clinched the points. Ian Gwilliam and Craig Littler scored the tries which brought Brook back into contention and David Gwilliam was man of the match.

Leigh Miners Rangers

under 13s nil Royals 41

Royals sparkled under the Rangers' floodlights. Leading 9-nil at the break, they piled on the points in the second half. Dane Shepherd (4), Phil McSpirit (2), North West Timber Treatments top tackler Simon Dixon and BICC Components man of the match Liam McDonnell scored the tries. Philip Platt added four conversions and a drop goal.

Royals under 12s 30, West Bank Bears 0

Royals continue to make great strides and this was their best display so far. Tries came from Chris Brown (2), Martyn Bradshaw (2), Liam Armson, Paul Clough, Paddy Flynn and Chris Donnelly. Simon Whybourne took the Franco's Ltd man of the match award, with Phil Speakman top tackler and Sean Swift the coaches award winner.

Wigan St Pats under 11s 4 Royals 6

Andy Davies' coolly-taken conversion of a try by man of the match Will Abbott earned Royals victory. Stuart Harmon was outstanding in a strong defensive effort.

Wigan St Pats under nines 22 Royals 50

Man of the match and top tackler Thomas Johnson scored two tries and others came from Liam Taylor (2), Robert Murphy (2), Ryan Liptrot, Danny Leach and Owen Livesey. Most improved was Josh Cieslar.

Mayfield Mustangs under eights 0, Royals 30

Chris Ford, Liam Holland, top tackler Alex Holland, man of the match Liam Dykes, Daniel Craven and Nathan all scored, while Ryan Whitley was in good form.

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