Marple 0

Runcorn 1st 58

KEITH ROBERTS was rightly crown Mom after scoring a stunning first-half hat-trick of tries that ripped the Manchester side apart.

Marple, two divisions the better of their Cheshire opponents struggled to keep up with the relentless pace, power and skill of the Runcorn outfit.

Roberts started the rout off with a 30 yard dash culminating in him scoring under the posts, Maudsley converting.

Dave Conchie then battled through the Marple defence to also register under the posts after good work from captain Billy Pritchard set Conchie up brilliantly, Maudsley converting.

Roberts then dashed over the line in dazzling style after being gifted the try from a well-worked forward move.

The hat-trick came just before half-time and was completed in fine style with Roberts picking the ball up from the back of the scrum and flummoxing the Marple scrum-half to bang the ball down in the far corner and effectively kill off any resistance that the Manchester team had, Maudsley converting successfully again.

Half-time 0-26.

After the break Runcorn gained an immediate advantage with good individual back play that totally stripped Marple, Lee Conchie at the centre of the move showed great side-stepping skill and then good hands to pass to full-back Gary Clarke who bagged the first of a magnificent brace.

Second-row Tony McKibbin rampaged through for two in two games after Phil Chambers broke several tackles to set him up on the 60 minute mark, Maudsley converting.

Clarke completed his brace shortly after with a 20 yard scramble for the line that eventually seen him easily over.

Alex Williams scored with 10 minutes on the clock after a blistering run down the Marple line seen him lunge superbly well to score another class try, Maudsley converting and also kicking a penalty two minutes later after good Runcorn forward pressure.

With one minute remaining veteran prop-forward Jeff Preston-Gore marauded his way free from the Marple back-line to clinch the game in majestic fashion with his 35-yard power run.

Captain Pritchard said of the big win: "We had problems before the game with replacing the Ayres brothers, who had injuries and work commitments, but the four second team players we brought in stunned us with their individual play and they blended in very well indeed.

"We can't wait for the game of the season so far on Saturday when we play Moore first team at home, this is the one we have been training for the last six weeks and it promises to be an explosive confrontation."

Wallassey 15

Runcorn 2nd 13

TOMMY DENNET had another rare off-day, culminating in him being sent off again for the second week running and effectively finishing Runcorn's chances of a victory.

Their only points came from tries for Chris Parks and Steve Franey with Sassoon kicking a last gasp penalty.

Mom came for Cy Bruce who was pushed heavily by Ian Christie and Ray Kneale.

The second team are away to Moore seconds on Saturday.

All available players for both teams are asked to be at the clubhouse for 1.30pm for a team briefing on both matches.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.