Liverpool St Helens 19 Newbury 16 LSH opened their account at Moss Lane with a hard earned win in an exciting game against newly promoted Newbury.

The quality of rugby was not of a very high standard, but commitment was intense. So much so, that Newbury will reflect on their indiscipline which resulted in two yellow cards and a sending off for foul play, which handed the match to the home side.

This was a much more committed display by LSH, spurred on by Colin King and Tim Wood, along with Dave Gaskell, playing his first game of the season following a stomach muscle injury.

These three led an enthusiastic forward assault against a large Newbury pack, and they kept their heads when the visitors tried to mix it.

Although both Matt Liddle and Ian Callaghan gave nothing away, the half-back combination doesn't yet seem to be right. The return of Paul Brett however was a bonus.

He provided thrust in the centre, and his defensive effort, along with co-centre Mike Hitchen nipped several Newbury attacks in the bud. One tackle on his opposite number probably turned the game, and the poor recipient took no further part in the proceedings.

Hitchen made the decisive break through with a strong run through the middle. He drew the full-back and flanker Tim Wood finished the move under the posts. Brett converted.

Newbury had taken a fifth minute lead with a soft try, assisted by LSH's slack defence, but once that was out of their system, no more defensive errors were committed.

Brett and Dangerfield swapped penalties and Brett kicked the winner in injury time when a Newbury forward stupidly handled in the scrum.

LSH are at Otley on Saturday.

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