Lancashire lynx 29 Hunslet Hawks 0

LANCASHIRE Lynx stepped up their promotion challenge in a sensational clash at Victory Park on Friday night.

Due to emergency pitch repairs at their usual home of Deepdale, the Lynx had a temporary move to their former ground in Chorley.

Lancashire hold an unbeaten league record at Deepdale, the width and length of the field playing an important part in their success. It was ironic that their best game of the season so far was played at Victory Park.

The Lynx put up another outstanding team performance, with prop Steve Taylor stealing the show once again.

On the wing, Ray Waring completed his third hat-trick of the year, taking his tally to 18 and beating the club's try scoring record.

The Lynx began their domination of the game within ten minutes of the kick-off when stand-off Steve Byrne slipping through the Hunslet defence and Neil Allday adding the conversion.

Almost ten minutes later, Ray Waring touched down for the first of his three tries after Andy Ruane had lobbed the ball to him and he crossed the whitewash in the corner.

Hunslet were reduced to 12 men when Simon Tuffs was sin binned for persistent off-side, but the Lynx failed to take another two points by missing the resulting penalty.

Lancashire tried to make the most of their advantage, but Chris Kelly was prevented from sizing upon his own kick.

However, moments later, Kelly was rewarded when Byrne sent him in to score.

By the hour-mark the Hawks' discipline continued to slip and Graham Southernwood was sent off for a high tackle on Lynx's Simon Smith.

The game continued to go the way of the Lynx and with a try by Smith, Ruane's drop-goal and Ray Waring completing his hat-trick with three minutes remaining, Lancashire claimed an important victory that keeps then on track for Kevin Tamati's ambitions of promotion.

The Lynx hope to continue their winning ways in a top of the table clash with league leaders Rochdale Hornets at Deepdale on Bank Holiday Monday.

Lynx: Allday, Waring, Moffatt, Finney, Smith, Byrne, Kelly, Taylor, Ruane, Westwood, Briscoe, Molyneux, Solomon. Subs: Jones, Walsh, Roberts, Francis.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.