Wigan St Cuthberts 18 Blackbrook 26

BLACKBROOK remain unbeaten this season following a thrilling victory in the shadow of the JJB Stadium at Wigan.

Brook's impressive centre Mark Shaw drew first blood for the visitors. St Cuthberts were on the attack inside the Brook half when Shaw stole the ball in a one on one tackle and raced 60 metres to score. Chris Springford added the extras.

Cuthberts stand off Anthony Houghton kicked two penalties as the home side endeavoured to get back into the game.

On the 25th minute mark Brook forced a repeat set of six tackles as they mounted an assault on the Wigan side's try line.

Mark Gibson was held up over the try line but from the resulting play the ball Jimmy Forshaw broke clear from a tackle and fed the ball out to winger Lee Brown. Brown had little room to move but he superbly turned inside his opposite wingman to score in the corner. Springford added a brilliant touchline conversion.

Houghton kicked another penalty for the home side before their hooker Webster scored a close range try on the stroke of half time. Houghton's fourth goal of the afternoon levelled the scores at 12 points all at the interval.

Following Jason Mitchell's half time team talk Brook came out for the second half fired up and the forwards, led by Dave Walker and Jimmy Forshaw, began to take control of the game.

Ten minutes into the half Craig Lyon stretched out of the tackle to put the ball down on the try line, Springford again goaled to restore Brook's six point advantage.

The lead was short lived, as within minutes Houghton's kick into the corner found Speakman on hand to score. Houghton again adding the conversion.

Brook kept the ball alive and superb handling sent Mark Shaw racing down the touchline, as the cover approached he put in a kick towards the goal posts for Jason Mitchell to win the race to score a spectacular try.

Springford added the goal to give the six point lead for the fourth time.

With less than 10 minutes remaining a penalty for an off the ball incident gave Springford his fifth goal of the game and Brook an eight point lead.

Despite a few anxious moments Brook held on for the victory. Jimmy Forshaw was selected as the Nexus man of the match with Mark Gibson, Paul Fass, Mark Shaw and the menacing Andy Rawsthorne all in contention.

Blackbrook A 21 Rose Bridge 18

BROOK'S seconds took the spoils in a game that ended in a nail biting finish.

The Wigan outfit started off the better as they went 10-0 up in as many minutes, through a converted try and a penalty goal.

Brook's hooker Ian Dolan ducked a high tackle and raced 20 metres to score. Pressure paid off for Brook when prop forward Jon Hale crashed over from a tap penalty.

With half time approaching Jon Hale landed a penalty goal to level the scores.

Brook seemed to have control of the game as teenage stand-off Greg Peters turned the ball inside for big Jon Hale to cross for his second of the game.

It was Peters again who laid on a try for half back partner Any Halsall with a chip kick on the last tackle. Jon Hale adding the goal.

With only 10 minutes remaining the Wiganers hit back with two unconverted tries. Brook took play back up field and with the last kick of the game young Peters slotted over a drop goal.

Santime Quarries man of the match was prop Jon Hale who was well supported by Ian Williams, Al Rigby, Andy Bates and Dave Gwilliam.