Rose Bridge 42 Pilkington Recs nil DUE to an assortment of reasons Recs were missing most of their first team side of last season, including a full pack of forwards.

So they were forced to field probably their youngest side for many years and while the youngsters battled gamely, they were no match for high ranking premier division opposition.

But for a string of spilled passes midway through the first half, Recs would have crossed the try line, as prop Graham Cranney and wingman Jason Ledger went close.

Second row man Andy Traverse ran strongly making two good long distance breaks, whilst fellow second rower Andy Hay was prominent in the defence.

Recs fared better in the second half and enjoyed long spells of attack, without ever really threatening to break through the solid home defence. Scrum half Mark Jackson probed away, while loose forward Neil Morris kept up a high workrate.

The Recs man of the match award went to debutant full-back Jamie Hill. He was closely followed by Andy Hay, Mark Leadbetter, Nick Cammenn and Neil Morris. Recs A 20 Haydock A 18

Recs eventually took the spoils in this keenly fought local derby 'opener' at City Road.

Despite trailing 8-0 at the interval, Recs visibly stepped up a gear into the second half, with hooker Bevan calling the shots.

Wingman Jeff Albin powered in for a home try to start the ball rolling, with others coming from full back Ste Traverse, new centre Paddy Peers and substitute Bob Pickersgill, wingman Keith Grimes added two conversions.

Recs owed much to the promptings of Arthur Manning, Bevan and Litherland, whilst scrum half Kevin Gormley worked tirelessly.

The impressive Traverse collected the man of the match award, closely followed by Bevan, Litherland and Albin.

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