Pilkington Recs 36 Adlington Rangers 20

PROP Mike Loughlin has added much-needed presence to Recs' front-row and he turned in a man-of-the-match performance to help clinch this win.

The former Saints and Swinton player also had a good support cast as the home side, though flimsy in defence at times, ran in a series of well-worked tries at sun-baked City Road.

Centre Ted Rawsthorne opened the scoring for Recs inside 10 minutes, sidestepping through to score beneath the posts.

Loughlin goaled and then kicked a penalty before Adlington crossed for an unconverted try from close range.

Recs though took control with a double strike.

Firstly Loughlin and hooker John Ford combined brilliantly before the latter's reverse pass sent loose-forward Gaz Friar in. Then Loughlin off-loaded for substitute Neil Morris to stride under the posts. Loughlin converted the second to make it 18-4 at half-time.

A scrappy start to the second-half saw Adlington grab a second try, but again Recs responded when a break from deep inside his own half by full-back Mark Ashton created a try for the supporting Chris Bailey.

A Loughlin penalty made it 24-8, then Ford gathered up a loose ball - dislodged by a fierce John Rees tackle - and sprinted 60 yards to score. Loughlin goaled.

That should have made it safe for Recs, but with the homesters reduced to 12 men by a sin-binning Rangers took advantage, crossing for two converted tries in as many minutes.

Recs finally made sure of the points when Andy Burns charged 50 yards from a scrum after being put through by stand-off Tim Critchley, Loughlin's goal completing the scoring.

Loughlin took the man-of-the-match award with Burns, Ford and Morris also turning in strong displays.

Wigan St Pat's U/8s 12

Pilks 32

PILKS tries came from Jordan Darwin (2), Jack Kelly, Kiye Rigby (2), Luke Forber, Connor Cutts and Adam Hitchmough.

PILKS under-7s are looking to strengthen their squad. Contact Ant for more information on 01744 637158.