THE North West Men's League kicked off at the weekend with cup matches.

Latchford Albion, promoted back to the Premier Division at the end of 2016, fell 42-10 at Halton Farnworth Hornets.

In the Trophy, Crosfields A lost 22-12 at home to Wigan St Judes, while Burtonwood Bridge were defeated 35-14 at Wigan St Cuthberts.

Rylands Sharks A went down 46-16 at home to Manchester Rangers A in the Shield, in which Woolston Rovers A triumphed 24-18 over Halton Farnworth Hornets A in the preliminary round and progress to a first-round trip to Blackpool Stanley.

Rovers built up a commanding lead and had to regain the initiative after a brave fightback from Farnworth.

Tries from Daniel Farrell, collecting a kick from Billy Maunder, and Jimmy Evans from a Callum Moore pass made it 10-0 to Rovers at half time.

A Jimmy Evans break put Jack Holt away before Hornets replied with two tries.

Henry Davies responded for Woolston but a third Halton try cut the arrears to two points.

Rovers nerves were settled when Jay Ryder shot through a gap in the Farnworth defence.

Rovers A: Jimmy Evans; Jack Holt, Jay Ryder, Olly Hands, Daniel Farrell; Jake Eccles, Billy Maunder; Tom Woodward, Callum Moore, Mark Haslam, Olly Parr, Andy Nadin, Nathan Evans. Subs: Kieran Moore, Max Ainsworth, Henry Davies, Alex Dunne.