Blackbrook 10

East Leeds 24 A LACKLUSTRE first half cost Brook dear on Saturday.

The visitors ran in 19 points without reply during the opening 38 minutes.

Blackbrook lacked the killer instinct to pierce the East Leeds defence. They were prone to wasting the few opportunities that came their way.

However, despite the first half handling mistakes there was no lack of effort from the homesters who eventually opened their account in the 42nd minute with a converted try.

Coaches Ken Gwilliam, Frank Tinsley and skipper Paul Smith rallied their troops during the interval and Brook came out for the second half determined that there would be no repeat of the first half.

They began to look a different proposition as they opened up in a determined mood and with a little steady handling they may have given East Leeds far more problems Within three minutes they had reduced the deficit to just nine points with an unconverted try. For long periods they matched their opponents in midfield and it was only their inability to finish off some promising play inside the visitors territory which let them down.

East Leeds had opened the scoring with a try be second row man Russell Simpson goaled by scrum-half Phil Hasty on 20 minutes. Five minutes later Hasty increased their lead with a drop goal.

However, two tries from hooker Andy Corbett both converted by Hasty in a three-minute spell in the build up to the interval gave East Leeds a seemingly comfortable 19-point advantage.

But Brook responded with an Ian Buckley try goaled by Andy Shaw to trail 6-19 at the break.

Winger Mike Maloney reduced the deficit to nine points with an unconverted try within three minutes of the restart.

The scoring then dried up as first one-side then the other went close on several occasions only to be denied by some fine defensive work.

On the hour second row man Russell Simpson crossed out wide on the visitors' right flank. The conversion attempt failed but stand-off Phil Swallow eventually rounded off the scoring with a drop goal from the visitors with barely two minutes left.

The Blackbrook/Construction Power Services man of the match accolade went to skipper Phil Smith with Steve Marsh a worthy contender.

On Saturday Blackbrook are away at Eccles kick off 2.30pm.

The following Tuesday October 19, Blackbrook set the Whitbread Millennium Floodlit Trophy Competition in motion with the opening game against West Sutton, kick off 7.30pm. Blackbrook Royals

under 16s 16

Snydale Scorpions 10

Royals returned to winning ways with an outstanding team effort against the pre-season title favourites.

Stand-in full-back Ste Naylor had a tremendous game and scored the opener with centres Barry McGilvray and Mark Leonard getting the clinching scores in the second half.

Phil Anderton took the national league man of the match award .

Royals under 13s 30

Pilks Recs 4

Royals had to work hard to defeat their local rivals in this hard fought derby clash. Dane Shepherd (3), Peter Becker, Phil McSpiritt and Philip Platt (who also landed three conversions) got the Royals tries, while Paul O'Brien took the BICC Components man of the match and Kalan Warburton the Hoist-It Services top tackler.

Wigan St Cuthberts

under 12s 12

Royals 22

Paddy Flynn registered a hat-trick to take the Francos man of the match. Royals continued their good early season form, with Chris Donnelly also on the scoresheet. Paul Johnson, Mike Webster, Dean McGilvray and Scott Holland also improved in a solid team performance.

Royals under 11s 48

Folly Lane 18

Rachel Thomas was the deserved player of the match as Royal. She scored a fine try to add to those of Ashley Butler (2), Kurt Haggerty (2), Bobbie Littler, top tackler Keiran Naylor, Dan Fairhurst and Mike Wilkinson.

Wigan St Cuthberts

under 10s 22

Royals 52

Co-op man of the match Chris McGrath (3), Gary Wheeler (2), Robert Anders (2), Shaun Magennis, Jamie Foster, Chris Howell and Andrew Donovan scored while Andrew Bushell and Gareth Lake also impressed.

Royals under nines 40

Folly Lane 10

Man of the match Owen Livesey, top tackler Robert Murphy and improving Stephen Raftey stood out as Royals continued their fine form.

Liam Taylor, Danny Leach, Luke Davies, Kyle Stevenson, Ryan Liptrot, Greg McDonald and Thomas Johnson all scored tries.

Royals under eights 34

Oldham St Annes 4

A strong defence, with new players Steven Ellison and Matthew Storey fitting in well, laid the foundation for a good win in a well contested game.

Allied Signals man of the match Liam Holland (3), Dane Hodgkinson (2), Chris Ford and top tackler Daniel Caven scored Royals tries.

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