West Sutton 21 Pilkington Recs 10 PILKINGTON Recs' promotion aspirations suffered an unexpected setback when they slipped to their fifth league defeat of the season on Saturday.

The visitors were the latest side to fall victim to rejuvenated West Sutton.

Recs had their chances, but a combination of determined defending and needless errors in good positions, eventually dashed their hopes.

In their visitors three-quarter line Jeff Albin, Mike Leadbetter and Andy Traverse were full of running, while veteran Arthur Manning - a late inclusion in the stand-off berth - topped the tackle count in the back division.

Up front the forwards - with Peter Cahalin, Mike Dennett and Graham Cranney particularly prominent - tackled manfully throughout, but to no avail against the powerful home six.

Indeed there were several outstanding individual performances in a first class team effort by the homesters with Steve Hayes, Craig Jones and Dave Fairclough foremost amongst them.

It was left centre Fairclough's alertness and eye for an opening around a play the ball that brought him an early try and provided the spark that ignited a fine all-round display by his colleagues.

However, midway through the first half a period of sustained pressure by Recs was duly rewarded when winger Jeff Albin evaded the cover on the homesters right flank to level the scores with an unconverted try.

But the relentless probing of experienced Steve Dudley, and Willie Johnson and strong running half-back colleague Alan Forber ensured the home side's attacks continued to cause maximum trouble for the Recs defence. Stand-off Forber laid the foundation for the homesters' second try with an excellent 45-metre midfield break from defence, and full-back Craig Jones loomed up in support to add the finishing touches with a converted try.

Just before the break the Recs defence failed to defuse a well placed 'bomb' in front of the posts and hooker Darren Anderton reached swiftly to collect a favourable bounce and score close to the posts. Craig Jones gave West Sutton a 16-4 interval lead with the easy conversion.

Defences were well on top after the break although Recs had the best of the early opportunities. But the final pass was frequently put to ground amid last-ditch tackles and the homesters kept their line intact.

Hooker Darren Anderton paved the way for the home side's fourth try with a fine 40-metre diagonal run from defence into visitors' territory before wingman Andy Spencer eventually crossed into the opposite corner for an unconverted try.

Trailing 20-4 with 15 minutes to so remaining Recs looked to be finished but they suddenly rocked the home side with a 55-metre opportunist try by scrum-half Craig Burrows which he also converted.

But West Sutton eventually clinched their ninth league win of the season with a late drop goal from loose-forward Andy Wilburn. Pilks under 12s 14

Orrell St James 36

Poor tackling in the first half left Pilks with too much to do after the break.

Their tries came from K. Mason, P. Robertson and D. Mason. The St Helens Motor Auction man of the match was Jamie Smith and runner-up was Rob Pilling. Lee Davies was most improved.

Pilks under 10s 12

Orrell St James nil

Recs' tries came from man of the match Martin Hutton and Greg Smith, who added two conversions. Dave Mason topped the tackle count and Phil Henry and Simon Penketh shared the coaches award. Trophies were sponsored by Nicholson Foods Ltd, Haydock. Pilks Pumas under nines 10

Ince St Williams 34

Pumas struggled to get going but there were one or two good performances. Man of the match was Danny Travis, top tackler Stuart McDonald, coaches award winner Robert Martindale and most improved Matthew Gadie. Awards were sponsored by Matthew Gadie.

Pilks under eights 24

Wigan St Cuthberts 28

Pilks under sevens 44

Chorley Panthers 16

Pilks' best performance of the season produced tries for man of the match Mike Wright (4), coaches award winner James Axon (2), top tackler Josh Appleton, Tom Marren, Sam Smith and Andrew Fraser (2). Mike Sexton was most improved, while Josh Greaves and Olivia Twist also caught the eye.

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