HAYDOCK scored a third win over Yorkshire opposition to earn their place in the 3rd round of the Powergen Challenge Cup alongside the professionals for only the second time in their history.

Normanton opened the scoring with a try by second-row Ian Booth but this stung the Yickers into action and they enjoyed a purple patch with three converted tries.

Flying wingman Si Tickle grabbed the first with an interception from halfway; Mark Rigby scored the second; and Neil Ireland burst on to a short ball from Wayne Bloor to power over for the third and the first of his hat-trick.

Healthy

Mark Boland converted all three to give Haydock a healthy 18-4 lead after 20 minutes.

Normanton briefly replied with a penalty by hooker Lee Aspinall, but Haydock extended their lead when another great ball from Bloor sent Rigby slicing through and Boland again converted.

The Knights though hit back again with a second try by Booth and two more goals by Aspinall to make it 24-14 at half time.

An 80-metre interception by Mark Forber got Haydock back on the scoresheet again shortly after the re-start, with Boland goaling.

But Normanton replied with a try by second-row Jonathan Kirk.

Tries by Chris Laughton for Haydock and Kirk's second for Knights made it 34-24 before the home men put the result beyond doubt with touchdowns by Clark and Ireland. To their credit, Normanton kept plugging away and they were rewarded with a good try by full-back Mike Butterfield.

But Haydock had the final say when Boland re-gathered his own chip ahead and the ball was quickly moved out for Ireland to complete his hat-trick.

Best for Haydock in a good all-round team performance were Cahalin, Bloor and Appleton.

l Above: Haydock's hat trick hero Neil Ireland takes the ball up as Ash Carroll and Peter Cahalin look on.

Picture by Bernard Platt. Ref: 52351