Parr Hare & Hounds 6 Blackbrook Magpies 36 THE Magpies swooped to conquer in this local derby but the game was much closer than the final scoreline suggests.

A young Hounds side - containing 10 teenagers in their squad of 17 - more than matched the visitors in the first half and with better finishing could have been ahead instead of trailing 8-6 at the break.

In the second half though Brook stepped up a gear as the home tackling lost much of its earlier bite.

Experienced half-backs Gary Holden and Paul Gavin ran the show for ther Magpies, plundering a total of 24 points between them with the former grabbing two tries and the latter a try and six goals. The winners' other touchdowns came from forwards Ian Dolan, Andy Tucker and Derek Lynch.

For Hounds, stand-off Ste Hill scored a try and prop Stu Haycock landed a penalty.

The Dolphin Glass man of the match for the losers was full-back Neil Briers and there were good displays also from Tony Harrison, Paul Cunningham, Jason Lawrenson, Dave Haggerty and Barry Dearden.

Hounds' match ball sponsor was Direct UVPC.

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