BLACKBURN Rovers' Under 18s defied monsoon conditions to record a fine 3-0 win over Barnsley at Brockhall.

A howling gale and driving rain were hardly conducive for free-flowing football, but Rovers' extra class still shone through as they cruised to their second win of the new season.

The game was effectively over as a contest by half-time as Rovers stormed into an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Gary Bowyer's side took just six minutes to break the deadlock, Abdi Ahmed opening his account for the season with a fine shot across the keeper, following intelligent play by Mamadi Keita.

Ten minutes later, Jamie Clarke then doubled Rovers' advantage when he converted an Alan Judge corner from close range for his third goal in as many games.

With Rovers now in full control, a third goal arrived in the 35th minute, Judge scoring with a fine chip over the advancing keeper following more clever prompting by Keita.

As the weather deteriorated in the second half, so did the quality of play, but it was Rovers who continued to make the pace and they might have extended their lead with a bit more care in the final third.

Bowyer said: It was a very pleasing performance in the first half.

"The conditions didn't help with the way we wanted to play the game, especially in the second half, but we saw the game through."

Rovers' next game is against Huddersfield this Saturday (kick off 11am) at Stroths Hall Park.