Orrell St James 10 Haydock 15

HAYDOCK started with the wind at their backs but the uncompromising Orrell defence was up to the task and half time came with the game scoreless.

In the second half, Haydock were first on the scoreboard with a long-range unconverted try by Rigby.

Orrell continued to pile on the pressure and only three minutes later, crossed for their first try which was converted and then added a second tomake it10-4 with less than 20 minutes left.

Orrell continued to pin Haydock back with long kicks aided by the strong wind. The only way that Haydock were going to change matters was from long range. But Haughey madea tremendous break from just inside his own half, drew the full back and passed to the supporting Cahalin.

He raced in from 30 metres to score under the posts. The try was converted by Cunliffe to level matters.

Time seemed to be running out when Haydock were awarded a penalty which put them in an attacking position.

The ball was driven forward and, on the final tackle, Haughey slotted home a drop goal to give Haydock the lead with five minutes to go.

Haydock's Reynolds dived in for an unconverted try to complete the scoring.

Haydock 'A' 6 Shevington 20

IN abysmal conditions, Haydock threw this match away, conceding two long range interception tries in the first half.

From the scrum, a needless pass was intercepted on half way and the try was never in doubt. After a successful conversion, Shevington turned the screws putting the defence under enormous pressure in the Haydock twenty. This was relieved when Mark Davis took a high kick in the in-goal and Shevington were penalised for offside.

Again, another slack pass saw the Shevington winger race 80 metres to score under the posts and put the visitors 12 points to the good. The home side were slightly knocked back and slack marking at a play the ball allowed an easy try from acting half with ten minutes of the half remaining.

That half time deficit of eighteen points was going to be a tough challenge.

Shevington grabbed the first points of the half with a penalty

Haydock unlocked the visitors defence two minutes from the end when player-coach Keith Dugdale brushed off three tacklers for a deserved consolation score. Mark Davis converted.