Newton Storm 10

Eccleston Lions 12

NEWTON Storm took a lot of positives from their entertaining run out with higher league Eccleston Lions.

The friendly fixture was arranged due to a lull in Storm's league campaign and the game was a credit to both sides.

They were both prepared to play adventurous Rugby League but Storm over cooked promising attacks at times and Hollywood passes cost them a lot of possession.

As a result Storm found themselves camped on their own line for an uncomfortably long spell and Eccleston's scrum half was able to craft his way over.

Eccleston, who operate two divisions above Storm in the North West Counties Amateur Rugby League ladder, converted the score to take a 6-0 lead.

Storm came close to replying with a try on several occasions. Meredith, Reeve and Bailey all looked set to cross the whitewash but their progress was halted by referee recalls.

Pearson, Leonard and Griffith were making plenty of hard yards for Storm but Eccleston took a 10-point lead into the break thanks to another good try which was assisted by an incongruous bounce in the build up.

Storm reduced their arrears at the start of the second half when Pearson crashed over.

Reid converted but he failed to add the extras when Newman shook off three tackles and scorched over from 50 metres out.

Storm were looking favourites to win the game at that stage. Eccleston rarely threatened Newton's solid defence in the second half but they snatched victory with a penalty goal.