Blackbrook A 10 Culcheth Eagles 22

HARD work by the forwards followed by expansive ball work by the backs had Blackbrook on the back foot from the start.

But Culcheth let themselves down with carelessness resulting in only an eight-point lead at half time after tries from Chris Pleavin and new boy Ben Meyers.

After the break it was the visitors who took control, bursting holes through Eagles’ defence to send speedy runners to score putting them ahead.

Eagles worked hard to keep Blackbrook out and although never really settled managed to scramble defence when required.

A second excellent effort from full back Pleavin saw his second of the game, but the home side continued to pressure the Culcheth line.

The result looked in doubt until the final three minutes when the ball was 'chucked' around with an new urgency and found Brett Mikalauskas in a space to go over quickly followed by Mark Whittaker scoring his first for Eagles.

Eagles face local rivals Leigh Miners A in the NWML Cup at Shaw Street next weekend.

Team: C Pleavin; C Mitchienson, S Pirrie, B Myers, M Whittaker; J Wilde, I Pirrie; T Blohm, B Mikalauskas, A Thomason, M Buxton, N Currie, J Tunstall, D Newton, P Green, D Thompson.