PENDLE Panthers, the area's new junior rugby league team, had a baptism of fire against Tameside in the NW Counties League.

The visitors to Barrowford Road justified their reputation for attacking rugby - they narrowly missed promotion last season - by winning 54-0 and running in 10 tries.

Pendle's Nasir Ul-Haq, Simon Howarth and Christopher Brown caused problems but the Manchester side tackled superbly and broke well from their own half.

Club treasurer Lisa Riley said: "We'd like to appeal to anyone who could help us with details of how to obtain a youth sport development grant.

"We have sponsorship from Tom Wilson's, Erinmore Homes, Walter Lambert and Sons and Gisburn Park Hospital, but if anyone else wants to help they can call me on 871483."

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