Pilkington Recs 14 Halton Simms Cross 31 AFTER the euphoria of the previous week's derby victory over neighbours Thatto Heath, it was back down to earth with a bump for Recs at City Road as they were beaten by a more experienced visiting team which had an industrious pack as their main feature.

Recs were eight points in arrears midway through the first half when they finally got on the scoreboard following good work from Andy Traverse and Shaun Dolan which set up the position for Antipodean hooker Jason Beavan to plunge in for a try from the play-the-ball. Mark Jackson added a towering touchline conversion.

It was a tale of missed chances for most of the first half though with Recs wasting at least three good scoring positions through their inability to deliver the final scoring touch and despite some impressive breaks by wingman Simpson they trailed 6-14 at the break.

And 15 minutes in to the second half the game was virtually out of Recs' reach as the visitors enjoyed a purple patch crossing for three tries thanks to some lethargic home defence.

The homesters did, however, finish the stronger. Hard-working substitute Nicky Leyland helped himself to a try crashing over close to the corner flag and near to the end hooker Beaven crossed for his second try to cap a good indivudal display.

The Haselden Plant Hire match day sponsor man-of-the-match award went to industrious stand-off Shaun Dolan, while prop Ian Connolly battled tirelessly in leading the forwards, and there good games from full-back Jamie Hill and wingmen Jason Ledger and Ste Simpson.

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