Recs grind out victory to stay on course for title

RECS remain on course for the North West Counties Division One title after grafting out a win in abysmal conditions.

Mud, wind and rain made it a difficult day for free-flowing rugby and although the league leaders were not at their best, their solid defence ensured they were never in danger.

They were in control of the game inside five minutes when prop Graham Cranney forced his way over on the right from close range.

Albion were struggling to contain Recs down that right channel, with the 'little and large' wing and centre pairing of Chris Bailey and Andy Traverse threatening.

It was Traverse who crossed for the next try, after first sending Bailey clear 40 metres out the big centre received the return pass on the inside and went beneath the posts. Barry Pope converted.

A rare moment of danger for Recs was defused when Traverse pulled off a try saving tackle after a kick had troubled the visitors defence.

But there were few other alarms, with Albion lacking the pace or imagination to pierce a disciplined Recs defensive unit, in which stocky scrum-half Ste Rawsthorne and hooker John Ford were prominent.

And, midway through the second half, as the conditions deteriorated, speedy Andy Lyons showed a glimpse of the form that has earned him a call-up to the Lancashire squad when he sprinted 50 metres down the left flank for a try that sealed the two points.