Widnes St Maries 16 Haydock 26 THIS victory earned Haydock a shodown with Thatto Heath in the next round of the North West Counties League Premier Cup.

They made the better start and two penalties to Haydock kicked by Ireland put them 4-0 up after eight minutes.

St Maries discipline was letting them down and after 18 minutes they had a player dismissed for deliberate kicking out. Haydock put a lot of pressure on.

Speed went in for a try only to be brought back for a forward pass. O'Garra and Bloor were making good ground, and it only seemed a matter of time before Haydock increased their lead.

But the game totally changed on the half hour when St Maries scored two tries in three minutes to put them 12-4 in front. Haydock were back on their heels and were under the cosh up to half time but went in at the break 12-4 down.

Twelve minutes into the second half Haydock had gone from 12-4 down to 12-16 in front. After three minutes of the restart good rugby by Haydock and good running by Haughey and Lowe put Haydock on the attack and neatpassing saw the ball go along the pack and Kelsey took the final pass to score wide out. Ireland converted well to put Haydock 12-10 behind. Two minutes later Ireland converted a penalty goal to level the scores at 12-12. Boland made a great break only to be beaten to the try line with a kick through.

St Maries hit back and were on the attack when five yards from the Haydock line and looking dangerous threw the ball out to the wing and Tither intercepted it and went 90 yards to score a great try. Ireland converted to give Haydock an 18-12 lead after 48 minutes. But two minutes later Maries hit back with a try from a high kick. Ireland kicked another penalty goal to put Haydock 20-16 in front. After 52 minutes Haydock were now in control and were controlling the game but the try of the match came with 13 minutes to go.

It started from the Haydock line when Bloor broke clear from a scrum and went 45 yards up field played the ball and Lowe made a fine break who gave the ball to Tither to pass it to Speed who went 20 yards to score a great try. Ireland converted to give Haydock a 26-16 win. Outstanding for Haydock were O'Garra, Boland, Haughey, Pearson and Bloor. Haydock under 12s 22

Portico 18

Two committed sides produced an entertaining encounter. Haydock's Rekon man of the mnatch was Sam Melia, while Daniel Jones was most improved and Craig Usher was top tackler.

Daniel Gregory was the unsung hero and coaches awards went to Andrew Leech and Neil Leonard.

Haydock under 11s 30

Leigh East nil

Haydock produced their best display of the season. It produced tries for man of the match and unsung hero David Johnson (3), James Walker, David Weldon, top tackler Steven Hudson and most improved Simon O'Rourke (2), who added eight goals. Coaches awards went to Jason Raftery and James Walker.

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