Powergen Challenge Cup

St Maries 6

Sharlston Rovers 20

ST MARIES crashed out of the Powergen challenge cup to premier table toppers Sharlston Rovers in a game that saw four players red carded and one sin-binned.

On 20 minutes Dale Ferris went over but the conversion was missed. Danny Grimshaw scored a try, which was converted by centre Lee Linguard. The first of the red cards saw Danny Yates dismissed.

A strong drive by Sharlston, engineered by Martin Wood, fed Stan Smith who scored, the extras added by Linguard.

The second half saw St Maries reduced to 12 men after the dismissal of Liam Smith. Sharlston's Keith Brook scored out wide and was then dismissed for punching.

The Maries numbers were reduced further with the sin-binning of Anthony Hollins, this was quickly followed by the dismissal of another Sharlston player before Adam Flanagan raced 50 metres to score and convert. Next week St Maries take on Huddersfield sharks at Brentfields at 2pm.

Widnes St Maries 48

Pilkington Recs 12

MARIES notched up their biggest points total this season.

Phil Shaw ran 60 yards to score a great try, Scott Yates converted. Ben Connolly then powered through the Pilks defence from 15 yards to score.

An excellent break from the halfway line saw Chris Cartledge send Sean Conroy clear to score and minutes later after good passing Cartledge added to the total.

Callum Whitby then picking up a long pass to score. Shortly before the break Pilks scored a try, the conversion making the half time score 28-6.

In the second half Dayne Donoghue outpaced the defence to touch down by the posts.

St Maries were reduced to 12 players following a sin-binning and Pilks took advantage eventually breeching the stubborn defence to get their second try.

From re-start Sean Twigg cut through Pilks defence but was stopped just short of the line. From the play-the-ball Conroy dived through a gap to get his second try.

With 13 players on the pitch the Maries piled on the pressure and Craig Millington got a try in the corner. A well orchestrated move by Sean Allen sent Chris Cartledge speeding in to get his second try.

Widnes St Maries Dragons 10

Ince Rose Bridge 12

MARIES lost their unbeaten record in a game dominated by defences.

A tough first half saw both teams fail to make any clean breaks but a string of penalties put the Wigan team in a good attacking position and just before half time they scored to go in 6-0 at the break.

The second half saw both sides make few breaks but after appearing to lose the ball near the line, Ince were awarded a try and the game looked over.

However, St Maries, led by man of the match Bobbie Goulding, fought back and a quick tap penalty by Jack Murphy and a try by Niall Whitfield brought them within two points but it was too late.

Steven Ball topped the tackle-count, Dominic Speakman and Jack Murphy shared the coach's award.