Thatto Heath Crusaders 24 Widnes St Maries 8 THATTO Heath Crusaders claimed their first win of the season on Saturday.

They made a flying start with a Mike Woods penalty and a well-worked try from a set move for Anthony Marsh after strong running by Martin Horton.

St Maries came back strongly and pounded the Thatto Heath line for 20 bone-crunching minutes. After two players had gone over on their backs, St Maries Billy Tuiono finally powered over for a try to reduce the deficit.

With only a couple of minutes of the half remaining Jamie Hill crashed in from a short range effort for a second Heath try.

Mike Woods added a second penalty after a St Maries infringement at the play-the-ball to give Heath a 12-4 half time lead.

St Maries clawed their way back into the game with an easy try for Willie Tilleke from a tap penalty near the Heath line reducing the gap to two points.

The game seemed set for an exciting final 20, but St Maries did themselves no favours when they were twice reduced to 12 men with players in the sin bin.

Hooker Nigel Morris who grabbed a brace of tries in the final quarter as Heath made their numerical advantage count.

His first came from close range after sustained pressure on the St Maries line, the second from an outrageous dummy on the 20 metre line.

Both scores were converted by Mike Woods.

Man of the match went to Heaths Nigel Morris. Widnes Tigers 20 Thatto Heath Crusaders A 22

Heath were left hanging on for victory after controlling the majority of the match.

The try of the game came when Si Davies put full-back Dave Moore through on the halfway line. Moore drew the full-back and sent supporting centre Mark Hayton under the posts.

Heath's other try scorers were stand-off Peter Derbyshire and winger Ricky Newman. Graham Saunders kicked four goals and Ian Chisnall added another. Best for Heath were Dave Donoghue and Chisnall.

Westhoughton

under 12s 6

Crusaders 24

Skipper and man of the match Mathew Halliwell led a spirited Crusaders effort. Try scorers were Lucas (2), Clark, Halliwell and Stott, with two goals from Scott Ashby. Lowe and Tony Owen earned coaches awards.

Westhoughton

under 10s nil

Crusaders 30

Crusaders began their season in convincing style. Tries flowed from man of the match Anthony Harden (3), Lee Gaskell, coaches award winner Shaun Forber, Ste Barton, Ryan Hannan and Andrew Morris.

Goals were added by Harden, Forber, Morris, Barton, Hannan, Daniel Kenny, Martin Davies and Gaskell.

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