Nottingham 27 Liverpool St Helens 3 DESPITE a brisk start in which they dominated play, LSH were well beaten by a forward-powered Nottingham, who quickly took control in all aspects of forward play, and cut off the ball supply to LSH's talented backs.

This was a poor display by LSH who lacked any coherent answer to the Midland forwards. Nottingham continually won the lines-out, pushed the LSH scrum backwards and won most of the 50-50 situations.

Behind the scrum, however, LSH were superior, but, denied any decent ball, their opportunities to shine were severely limited. Jim Salisbury, Mark Sephton and Mike Hitchen made inroads occasionally, but support was absent at crucial times and a Jim Salisbury penalty was their only contribution to the score line.

Nottinghams tries came from set-pieces near the line, two tries from number eight, and one from their scrum-half.

LSH have two weeks free of league rugby to try to recapture their form and commitment. The next league game is at Moss Lane on December 13 when professionals Leeds are the guests.

A repeat of Saturday's performance could bring an embarrassing defeat.

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