BLACKBURN sealed the Northwest Division One title this weekend with a convincing victory against strugglers Oldershaw.

History set this match up as a potential banana skin for Blackburn who spoiled Oldershaw's chances of promotion when the position was reversed some years ago. But the visitors lacked the flair that might have spoiled the fun for the title chasers.

Blackburn began into a strong wind and relied on the front row dominance of Graham McKendry, Jonny Smythe Andy Ridehalgh with scrum half Scott Foster who drove the pack up the middle of the park.

The first half was a tight affair with Blackburn managing a single try, a right hand side driving effort with typical linking through the forwards before Simon Greenhalgh drew two defenders leaving John Edge the formality of beating his man to score.

The visitors were labouring to patch together passages in the face of exemplary defensive work from flankers Stuart Jarrold and John Beeston. However, on the stroke of half time their winger squeezed over in the corner.

Although Edge had failed to convert his own try he kicked two other penalties in the half for Blackburn to lead 11-5 at the interval. Playing with the wind in the second half Blackburn reverted to the expansive game that has delighted fans all season. To this end Nick Westhead replaced Foster at scrum half.

The characteristically powerful charges of pack leader Tony Hodgson and his second row partner Mick McHugh caused mayhem in the opposition ranks for polished handling in the backs to send Andy Graham over, Edge converted from beneath the posts.

Blackburn added to this soon after when using quick ruck ball Pete Aikman released Duncan McAuley who mesmerised the defence before the outrageously talented youngster Freeman Payne scored.

Mention must also go to number eight Adam Smith whose clearing and link work was of the highest order and the monstrous line kicking of Payne.

Blackburn will now be promoted with a game to spare, just reward for a season of hard-won victories played in a manner designed to surprise and delighted. The entire team were voted man of the match and the party is still going on.

The floodgates never really opened in the second half but the hosts were always in the ascendancy.

Right winger John Dickinson got two tries in similar fashion finishing from Atherton's unselfishness.

Andrew Atkinson was dominating at number two in the lineout providing the backline with plenty of possession. Simon Morris rounded the visitors' ragged defence avoiding the corner flag to score midway through the half.

With time running out and the match seemingly won, Oldershaw's full back missed touch with a clearance kick only for Andy Turner to hit a drop goal from all of 40 yards, a feat he repeated moments later.

With the clock running down Dave Farley crossed wings to complete a flowing move involving forwards and backs, Gray converted this to add to an earlier penalty to wrap things up.

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