Castleford Lock Lane 18

Woolston Rovers 12

ROVERS produced an improved performance on Saturday and were unfortunate to lose to a Castleford side in great form in the National Conference League Premier Division.

Winger Steve Martin, returning to the side after four months out, landed an early drop goal and a penalty from the touchline as Woolston hit their stride.

Stand off Graham Smith added another one pointer to leave Rovers 4-0 up after 20 minutes.

Rovers increased their lead late in the half when Nigel Quarmby grabbed a loose ball and raced 50 yards to score. Martin converted.

But Lock Lane got back in the game on the stroke of half-time when Pete Steels forced his way over. Dave Wolford goaled.

They took the lead after 49 minutes when the referee adjudged Quarmby had tackled Mickey Johnson without the ball as the Lock Lane man was about to dive on a loose ball and score. A penalty try was awarded and Wolford converted.

Rovers levelled on the hour courtesy of a Martin penalty.

Five minutes later Lock Lane got what turned out to be the match winning try. Slick passing along the line created an overlap for winger Andy Goodenough to squeeze over in the corner. Two minutes from time Lock Lane made the game safe when Wolford landed a long range penalty.

Hooker Mike Briggs was voted man of the match. Peter Livett, Andy Hill, Paul Foster and debutant Aussie Duane Millard ran him close.

Rovers: Peter Livett; David Hudd, Paul Fiddler, James Brabin, Steve Martin; Graham Smith, Andy Hill; Eddie Harris, Mike Briggs, Paul Foster, Duane Millard, Liam Horrigan, Nigel Quarmby. Subs: George Kay, Nick Barnard.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Rovers host Thornhill, kick-off 2.30pm.

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