Langworthy 8 Blackbrook 38

BROOK overcame a dogged Langworthy side to progress to the second round of the Lancashire Cup.

Langworthy had first use of the considerable slope and strong wind and restricted the visitors to a six-point advantage at the interval.

Brook got off to a good start when Mark Gibbons' long pass put Scott Lyon in for a try after five minutes. Gibson added a superb conversion from near the touchline.

Excellent defence by both sides though prevented any further scores until the 25th minute when Langworthy grabbed an unconverted try in the corner.

Brook hit straight back, however, and after good work by centre Mark Shaw, loose-forward Chris Springford squeezed through the smallest of gaps to score.

With the elements in their favour Brook took control after the break.

They scored in the opening minute, good work by Ste Moss and Springford paving the way for hooker Andy Rawsthorn to dart over from acting half-back. Gibson added the conversion.

Langworthy replied with their second try but their joy was short-lived as Mark Shaw split the home defence to record Brook's fourth touchdown.

Player/coach Jason Mitchell was the provider for Brook's next try, his perfectly-timed pass finding Springford in support to race clear for his second of the afternoon.

Then came the best try of the game when Shaw's break was carried on by Mitchell and Springford who combined to send winger Lee Brown racing down the touchline to score.

And with time running out second-row Jimmy Forshaw's hard work was rewarded when he crashed over for the visitors' seventh try, Gibson adding his fifth goal to complete the scoring.

Forshaw was selected as the Nexus man-of-the-match for Brook, with Gibson and Springford running him close.