HAYDOCK progressed to the final of the St Helens Cup after a pulsating match against local rivals Blackbrook and the match was on edge all the way through.

Blackbrook started the better and soon took control of the game and went ahead after 15 minutes with a try and conversion.

Things were not going Haydock's way and Blackbrook went further ahead with a penalty goal plus a drop goal from Toole.

Brook were on the attack again when Haughey intercepted a long pass to race 80 yards to score a try which he converted to put Haydock back into the match at 9-6.

But from the kick off Haydock failed to stop the ball going into touch and from the resulting scrum Brook went in for a good try and conversion to put them ahead by 15-6 on 27 minutes.

Haydock started playing some good rugby and good runs from Marsh, Saunders, Cahalin and Rigby made good ground.

The ball was swung out and Marsh spotted the gap and went through it to score a good try from 60 yards out, Haughey converted to make it 15-12 to Brook after 34 minutes.

Haydock were getting back into the game and started to put pressure on the line and once again the ball went from one end to the other which saw Abbott go in at the corner to put Haydock 16-15 in front on half time.

It was Brook who scored first with a try and conversion to lead 21-16 after 51 minutes. Strong runs by Hardman, Bloor, Cooper and Ireland put Haydock on the attack.

Tickle went close with Haydock pressing it was Cahalin who dived over for the all important try to enable Haughey to convert to put Haydock in front by 22-21 after 62 minutes.

Defences on both sides were a lot harder to break down but a drop goal by Bloor made it 23-21 to Haydock on 65 minutes.

The last 15 minutes were on a knife edge but Haydock did look the more likely team to score, but strong defence in the last five minutes when Brook had around eight tackles kept them out to record a fine victory.

Outstanding for Haydock were Rigby, Haughey, Bloor, Cahalin and Carroll.