St Judes 28 Blackbrook 12 TWO late tries sealed Brook's fate in a hard-fought encounter on Saturday.

Conditions were far from ideal as heavy rain had made the pitch very heavy. And a near-gale force wind blowing straight down the pitch didn't make it any easier for the players.

Nevertheless, both teams deserve credit for their determination to play entertaining rugby.

Playing into the strong wind from the start the homesters mission was one of containment during the opening 40 minutes, and their only points came courtesy of a Lee Owen penalty goal on 28 minutes.

They found it virtually impossible to penetrate the Blackbrook defence in which Jason Mitchell, Gareth Hill and forwards Ian Buckley, Dave Ryan and Steve Molyneux excelled. But despite their advantage during their opening period Brook failed to establish the expected territorial advantage and went in at the break with just three penalty goals from Andy Benson and a solitary try by Gareth Hill to their credit.

When the teams lined up for the restart it was the St Judes forwards who were relishing the prospect of a wind-aided second 40-minute spell.

Their anticipation was soon rewarded when Ian Dunn, Paul Olurkinse and Darren Jones linked up well in front of the visitors posts on 50 minutes, to send Nick Grady in for their opening try which Lee Owen converted to reduce the deficit to two points at 8-10.

A fourth penalty goal from Andy Benson gave the visitors renewed hope but the joy was short lived as the St Judes levelled the scores at 12 all on the hour with a try by prop forward Ian Dunn.

Despite having a player dismissed on 65 minutes, the homesters ability to capitalise upon errors eventually tipped the scales their way.

Blackbrook defended well enough to repel numerous raids by the home side midway through the second half, but a series of handling errors as they began to tire left them under considerable pressure in the closing stages.

The outcome was effectively decided during the final ten minutes of the game as Scott Caulfield and Paul McCormack added further tries for St Judes and Lee Owen added both conversions and a last minute penalty goal.

Ian Buckley received the Blackbrook/Construction Power Services man of the match accolade. This Sunday morning National Youth League Premier Division pacesetters, Blackbrook under 18s and Leigh Miners Rangers meet at Boardmans Lane in a Lancashire Youth Cup quarter final clash ko 11.30am.

The annual Boxing Day game at Blackbrook between players past and present sponsored jointly this year by Construction Power Services and Ravenhead Laundry, resulted in a narrow 24-20 victory for the past players.

The event raised about £200 for the Millbrook Home.

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