Blackbrook Bulldogs 12 Hillsborough Hawks 15

THE Bulldogs' disappointing run continued as they slumped to their first home defeat of the season.

With five minutes to go the home side led 12-10 and looked set to hold on for a much-needed win. But a needlessly-conceded penalty gave possession to the Hawks and their scrum-half John Nicholls went over for the match-winning try. A last-minute drop goal by Jason Davidson simply rubbed salt into the Bulldogs' self-inflicted wounds.

Honours were even at half-time, the Bulldogs' points coming from a penalty by Ian Callaghan and a Mark Shaw try following good work by Mike Maloney. Hawks replied with a penalty by Nicholls and a try by full-back Neil Foster.

Bulldogs hit the front on 55 minutes when Shaw raced 40 metres to score his second after a period of good handling and Callaghan was successful with the conversion to make it 12-6.

But Hawks hit back again ten minutes later when winger Stuart Derby squeezed over at the corner.

The visitors piled on the pressure in the closing stages but it seemed a great defensive effort would see Brook home until that fateful 75th minute penalty.

Second-row Phil Smith took the Andrew Douglas Car Sales man-of-the-match for Blackbrook, with Jimmy Shuttleworth and Andrew Kordlinski also playing well.

Crosfields u/18s 32 Bulldogs 10

Brook went out at the semi-final stage of the Lancashire Cup, at the hands of a well-drilled Crosfields outfit.

After an early Crosfields score, Alan Broderick brought Brook level and some outstanding defence kept Crosfields down to a 10-6 half-time advantage.

Brook had an early second-half opportunity but once Soap scored again there was no way back despite a Kevin Picton try late on.

Junction man-of-the-match Jon Hale, Barry McGilvray, Scott Lyon, Craig Lyon and Darren Woods all tried hard.

Blackbrook Royals u/16s 22 Rylands 4

Royals produced a solid team effort and some flowing rugby to record their first double of the season.

The home side led 14-0 at the interval after first-half tries by Andy Burrows, Carl Cheatham and Andy Dobson, plus a conversion by Lee McWalters.

On the restart Rylands hit back with a 60-metre try but this seemed to sting the Royals back into action and a set move saw Carl Cheatham put Andy Dobson over for his second try.

The Royals forwards now took control of the game with Andy Tinsley, Paul Foster, Phil Bodey and Mark Hammilton prominent. And the final score came when Darren Winstanley finished off some top-class rugby to go over wide out.

The Bell and Barrel man-of-the-match went to second-rower Andy Tinsley just ahead of Lee McWalters and John Tully. Royals u/15s 16 Crosfields 6

Royals kept up their title push with an excellent win over a previously unbeaten Crosfields outfit. However the victory was marred by a broken leg suffered by full-back Danny Burns and everyone at the club sends him their best wishes.

Royals' tries came from Craig Littler, James Milligan and Paul Crook with Chris Tyrer picking up the man-of-the-match award.

Royals u/13s 40 Woolston 4

Royals were in devastating form as they continue the chase for the North West Counties Championship.

Paul Clough (4), man-of-the-match Scott Holland (4), Ste Bannister and Dean McGilvray got the tries with Sam Melia leading the defence and Paul Johnson, Martyn Bradshaw, Rob Bridge, Mike Hutton and debutant Keiron Marsden all impressing.

Wigan St Cuthberts u/12s 6 Royals 18

A hard-fought Lancashire Cup quarter-final saw Royals emerge to set up a home semi-final with Wigan St Pats this Sunday, (kick-off 10.30am).

Two tries from S D Consulting man-of-the-match Kurt Haggerty and one from Bobbie Littler allied to a strong defence saw Royals home. Jonothan Peers and Kieron Edwards were also in top form.

Culcheth Eagles u/11s 0 Royals 30

Royals gained a comfortable victory over the league newcomers.

Tries came from Robert Anders (2), Andrew Donovan (2), Chris Magrath (2), Jamie Foster, Ste Johnson, Gary Wheeler, Chris Howell and Chris Williams, while Tom Brimble made an impressive debut.

Wigan St Pats u/10s 0 Royals 30

Continuing their impressive run Royals produced some outstanding rugby in a game which was much more closely fought then the scoreline suggests.

Royals u/9s 38 Wigan St Judes 8

Royals warmed up for the forthcoming cup campaign with a fine display, led by Nichols Foods man-of-the-match Scott Conroy.

Jonothan Ford (2), Joshua Owen, Daniel Craven, Dean Craven, Alex Holland, Liam Holland, Dane Hodgkinson and Liam Weston got the tries, with Jonathan Travena also impressing.

Wigan St Pats u/8s 8 Royals 16

Royals produced a spirited effort to take the spoils, with Brother UK man-of-the-match Adam Swift leading the way with two tries. Daniel Molyneux and Tom Huntingdon also touched down.

James Brown, Lewis Henshall and Mike Lowe were outstanding in defence with Ryan Leadbetter taking the coach's award.