Halton 2nd 8 Ruskin Park 2nd 32 WITH the First XV having no game, the seconds took the opportunity to strengthen the pack for this local derby, and it paid off handsomely, as they laid the foundations for the backs to run in five of the six tries scored.

On a heavy pitch, Ruskin took first advantage of a pronounced slope, and were soon ahead with a try by Kerr. Scorning several easy penalty chances in their desire to play an open running game, they added to their lead before half time with further tries by Swift and Ridgeon and a conversion by Fisher.

Down the hill in the second half, the home side set up a series of attacks close to the Ruskin line, but some excellent defence, especially from Kwasniki and Wallwork, limited Halton to a solitary penalty by Fillingham. The siege was lifted by a long run out of defence by Unsworth, which set up a try by Fisher. Although Halton were next on the board with a fine try by Hartley, Ruskin were never in danger of defeat. After man of the match Kerr had made a try for Ian Christian with a neat chip to the corner, he himself went over for his second try on the stroke of full time.

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