Woolston Rovers 22 Barrow Island 10

INTERIM head coach Mal Holt hailed his Woolston Rovers side’s win over Barrow Island as “massive” for their season.

Rovers thrilled their home crowd at Monks Sports Club by seeing off their high-flying visitors, with Aaron Barber, Daniel Markham and Christian Taylor scoring tries.

Billy Maunder also added three conversions in a thrilling first-half showing before kicking two penalties after the interval.

“It was a massive win for us,” Holt said.

“We said during the week and before the game about how vital it was to get off to a good start, and we did that exactly.

“We spoke at half time about the need to cut out the penalties and if we did that, we were confident that we would have too much for them.

“We managed to do that and kept them scoreless, which was a great effort.”

Woolston got off to the ideal start when Barber weaved his way around the Barrow defence to score a fine individual try.

Shortly afterwards, Maunder’s short ball was perfect for Australian second-rower Markham, who brushed off two attempted tackles to touch down.

The visitors hit back through winger Jez Nueto, but Taylor then got on the end of a fine passing move involving Barber and Dan Fearnley to score in the corner.

Josh Banham pushed his way over to reduce Rovers’ lead just before the break, but some great defence from both sides meant there was no further tries scored.

Maunder slotted a penalty two minutes from the end, and he then nailed another two-pointer from the halfway line after Barrow’s attempted short kick-off failed to go 10 metres.

Rovers are at home again on Saturday as they host Waterhead Warriors, kick off 2.30pm

Woolston: Conner Muir; Kieran Jones, Justin Becker, Dan Fearnley, Christian Taylor; Aaron Barber, Billy Maunder; Jack Sherratt, Ryan Brown, Max Ainsworth, Josh Sudlow, Daniel Markham, Harry Files. Subs: Tom Fagan, John Welch, Ben Dixon, Sean Yoxall.

Blackbrook u18 30 Woolston Rovers u18 14

WOOLSTON'S under 18s fell at the semi-final stage of the BARLA National Cup despite a brave display against Blackbrook.

The hosts raced into an early 10-0 lead, but Dec Leonard converted his own try to get Rovers moving before Jacob Proudlove's score, improved by Leonard, put them in front.

Blackbrook hit back with another try before Leonard kicked a penalty to level the game at 14-14, but the hosts pulled away late on to secure their place in the final.

"I could not be any prouder of the lads," head coach John Morris said.

"They have given their all but unfortunately, we have fallen at the last stage.

"We will now dust ourselves down and get ready for the rest of the season.”