Thatto Heath 18 Haydock 4 HEATH defied the elements and their local rivals to collect the North West Counties Cup.

Both teams tried to play open rugby in difficult conditions, but Heath scored first when prop forward Jimmy Waterworth battled his way through two would-be tacklers to score near the posts. Full-back Wayne Jackman added the conversion.

Jackman stretched Heath's lead with a 20th minute penalty and five minutes later he added another.

Haydock full-back Paul Ireland pulled back two points when Heath were caught offside six minutes from the break.

But Jackman added another penalty goal when Haydock failed to play the ball properly.

But in the last minute of the half Ireland hit another Haydock penalty.

After the break a determined Heath side went further ahead when man of the match Martin Horton crashed over after good work by Carl McCabe. Jackman added the extras.

Best for Heath were Horton, Carl McCabe, and Darren Blanchfield, while Haydock were well served by Steve Kelsey, Gary Lowe and Geoff Newton.

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