Oulton Raiders 50 Blackbrook 2

INJURY-hit Brook slumped to a crushing defeat at high-flying Oulton on Saturday.

The homesters opened their account with a Richard Mee penalty goal in the second minute. Four minutes later, hooker Mark Longley touchdown behind the posts and Richard Mee gave the Raiders a 10-point cushion with the easy conversion, and a penalty goal minutes later.

Andy Benson replied with a solitary penalty goal for the Brook.

But despite the sterling efforts of Steve Molyneux, Darren Mitchell, Phil Smith and Colin Smith in the Blackbrook line-up the visitors had no answer as the Raiders settled into a rhythm which repeatedly stretched their defence to breaking point.

Prop forward Longstaffe pierced the Brook defence for the Raiders' second try midway through the first half and Richard Mee edged the home side into an 18-2 interval lead with the conversion, and a penalty goal minutes later.

Oulton rode an early storm from the visitors after the break in which Brook went close to opening their try scoring account on a couple of occasion as they took the game to their hosts.

But Oulton punished a defensive error in front of the posts to open up a 24-2 advantage with a Mark Longley try and a Richard Mee conversion.

The Raiders then cut loose in impressive fashion and gave a lesson in support play with a five-try scoring blitz in the final quarter.

Tries from Danny Burton and Lee Hall plus a Richard Mee conversion gave Oulton a 34-2 lead. But despite the ever-increasing score line Blackbrook showed tremendous spirit and determination, refusing to lie down in the face of the Raiders onslaught.

Nevertheless, they were unable to halt the Raiders momentum and Danny Cowell, Mark Longley and Alex Jones added further tries in the closing minutes with Richard Mee adding two conversion.

The Blackbrook/Construction Power Services man of the match was Steve Molyneux.

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