Woolston Rovers A 32 Blackbrook 24

WOOLSTON Rovers A had a superb victory over Blackbrook in an excellent North West Men's League Division Two fixture at Monks Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.

Rovers, who have come really close over the past couple of weeks to getting a win, finally managed to get the victory that their efforts deserved as a great all-round team performance proved too much for their opponents.

Blackbrook opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a try from winger Josh Potter that was converted by stand-off Chris Springford but then on the half hour Rovers hit back when second row Dan Fearnley put hooker Josh Sudlow over on the right.

Scrum half Matt Wilkinson added the conversion to level the scores.

Almost immediately Rovers moved ahead when loose forward John Welch went over between the posts, with Wilkinson adding the goal.

But then both sides were temporarily reduced to twelve men when Blackbrook hooker Dave French and Rovers centre Darren Hill were sin-binned for fighting.

Just before the break Blackbrook prop forward Neil Babbs scored and Springford converted to make the half time score 12-12.

A minute into the second half Rovers regained the lead when a quick play the ball saw Fearnley find prop forward Mark Robinson and he put substitute Martin Ball over.

Wilkinson converted and nine minutes later did so again after Rovers substitute Conor Gerrard crossed between the posts.

Rovers moved further ahead just after the hour when a brilliant pass from Robinson found second row Kurt Whiteley who went over.

Wilkinson converted but then Blackbrook responded when Springford scored between the posts to give himself a simple conversion.

Blackbrook reduced the deficit further when prop forward Jon Hale scored.

Springford’s conversion made the gap just six points but Rovers made sure of the win two minutes from time when Wilkinson landed a penalty for a high tackle to make the final score 32-24 to a delighted Rovers side.

Man of the match was awarded to Rovers’ player/coach Mark Robinson.

He was very well supported by hooker Josh Sudlow and loose forward John Welch.

Rovers A: Josh Woods; Matt Eaves, Darren Hill, James Dudley, Richard Bolton; Dominic Ball, Matt Wilkinson; Gareth Dowson, Josh Sudlow, Mark Robinson, Kurt Whiteley, Dan Fearnley, John Welch. Subs: Martin Ball, Conor Gerrard, Richard Potts, Steve Dowson.