Haresfinch 32 Rylands Sharks 26

RYLANDS slipped to a narrow loss in St Helens on Saturday.

The Sharks were quickest out of the blocks opening the scoring after only a minute played with a well-taken try from Rylands' outstanding player Luke Gillooly.

A penalty goal on seven minutes from stand-off Josh Ainsworth opened the hosts' account quickly followed by a try on 12 minutes for hooker Curtis Simm, converted by Ainsworth to give Haresfinch a four-point lead.

Haresfinch increased their lead after 20 minutes with a try for Ainsworth, who also added the extras.

Ten minutes later Rylands narrowed the gap with a try for Adam Thompson converted by Gillooly, but the St Helens outfit had the last word scoring a try on the stroke of half time through second-rower Chris Clayton with Ainsworth again adding the conversion.

Haresfinch started the second half like they finished the first and were on the scoreboard within the first minute with a try for loose forward Sam Kerfoot, converted by Ainsworth.

On 57 minutes Rylands hit back with a try for Pete Price, but three minutes later Kerfoot bagged his second try for the home side and with Ainsworth adding the conversion.

Haresfinch led by 18 points with 20 minutes remaining.

A second try and conversion for Rylands’ Gillooly on 68 minutes gave the visitors hope that a comeback was on the cards, and a try from Paul Reynolds converted by Gillooly with five minutes remaining raised the Sharks’ chances of snatching at least a point.

But the hosts just did enough to hold out and take the spoils.

Best for Rylands were Luke Gillooley, Carl Lloyd and Paul Reynolds while Curtis Simm was the pick for Haresfinch.

Rylands: Troy Brophy, Pete Price, Carl Lloyd, Luke Gillooly, Kris Buckley, Luke Walker, Sean Boyle, Matty Taylor, Dave Walker, Rob Campbell, Paul Reynolds, Ben McNicholas, Jamie Howard, Mark McArdle, Chris Morley, Adam Thompson, Daryl Smith.