Woolston Rovers 28

Rylands 22

WOOLSTON Rovers offered their neighbours no favours in Saturday's 'derby' at Bennett's Recreation Ground.

Champions Rovers rounded off their North West Counties Amateur Rugby League Division One programme with a victory that ended Rylands' hopes of playing Premier Division rugby for the first time next season.

Rylands' defeat meant they finished third in the table behind runners-up Wigan St Cuthberts while the win put Rovers in good mood for their North West Counties Cup final date on Saturday.

Rylands opened the scoring in the fourth minute when scrum half Peter Leonard landed a penalty goal.

But then they had problems handling Rovers' last tackle plays.

Slick passing by Rovers put centre James Brabin over for an unconverted try, man of the match hooker Wes Lawton spotted a gap from acting half back to score and then fast hands created an overlap for winger Paul Berry to exploit.

On the stroke of half-time Rylands got back into the game when a clever reverse kick by Leonard caught out the Rovers defence and winger John Walker won the race to touch down and make the score 14-6.

Rylands hooker Ian Ward's converted try at the start of the second half reduced his side's deficit to only two points.

Rovers regained the initiative when second row Jamie Clarke brushed aside four defenders on a 50 metres sprint to the try line and then Paul Berry bounced off a defender to score.

Rylands refused to lie down and a kick by Leonard was gathered by I Ward, who went over for his second try.

Rovers made the game safe 10 minutes from time when Clarke raced over unopposed.

Rylands scored a consolation try via second rower Micky Lee.

Woolston: Mark Roughneen; Paul Berry, James Brabin, Scott Davidson, Matt Taylor; Craig Harris, Steve Smythe; Clint Rylance, Wes Lawton, Neil Smith, Jamie Clarke, Andy Addison, Chris Mellor. Subs: Steve Foster, Mike Johnson, Mark Wareing, Nick Glenn.

Rylands: Tommy Brennan; John Walker, Tom Berry, Paul Clayton, Neil Evans; John Ward, Peter Leonard; Andrew Smith, Ian Ward, Andy Matthews, Nick Braide, Micky Lee, Mike Ward. Subs: Paul Bagley, Ian Ratcliffe, Darren Shaw, Mike Twiss.

Rovers take on Widnes Ball Bulldogs in the NWC Cup final and the game will take place at Widnes St Maries' ground, Heath Road, Widnes, kick-off 2.30pm on Saturday. A coach leaves Bennett's Recreation Ground, Padgate, at 12.30pm for any supporters wishing to travel.