Eagle 12 Trentham 5.

A BRUTAL encounter between the top two teams in rugby union's Euromanx South Lancashire and Cheshire Four finished with a narrow victory for Eagle.

Trentham reduced the arrears to 7-5 with an 80-metre try 15 minutes from the final whistle.

But from the restart Eagle responded immediately, with Barry Gettins completing a great move that had involved the whole team.

Eagle opened the scoring in the first half when quick decision-making from the Eagle back row to take a quick lineout put winger Alex Grace over for a converted try.

Sandbach 3rd 27 Eagle 2nd 7.

EAGLE bowed to Sandbach's heavier pack in Saturday's Miller Homes Five West League fixture.

Despite having a depleted side due to illness and work commitments, Eagle adapted to the muddy conditions and produced some fine attacking play through their backs, which resulted in a fine try for Will McAllister, converted by Barry Whalley.

Sandbach then improved their game and kept the ball tight with their bigger and heavier pack, resulting in two tries from five-metre scrums that laid the platform for victory.