THATTO Heath U18s continued their good form in what was always going to be a tough encounter when facing Wigan St Judes.
With Thatto currently sitting top of the NWC premier league they are the team everyone wants to test themselves against and St Judes were no exception.
St Judes took the early advantage, breaking through a lapse in defence and running in two tries meaning the home team were sitting on a 10-0 lead.
Thatto Heath appeared to regroup following the wake up call and began to play some of the flowing rugby they are capable of, the pack laying a great foundation with some strong running.
It wasn’t long before pressure was built close to the St Judes try line.
A storming run from Tom Eastwood and a lovely slip pass enabled the supporting Kieran Dean (below) to muscle his way over the for Thatto Heath’s opening try.
The game continued to be a reasonably level contest with not much to separate the two sides, both teams at times showing great skill and both teams coming up with errors putting themselves under pressure.
Further impressive tries from Lewis Stewart, Ellis Finney and Kieran Dean saw Thatto Heath with a two-point lead and only a few minutes remaining. Connor Cannon’s cool head and accurate kicking increased this to a three-point lead with a drop goal slotting perfectly between the uprights.
Lewis Stewart.
The final whistle was a welcome sound for Thatto Heath as they took the spoils at 23-20.
It was a great result for the team and coaches. The result was especially poignant for Thatto Heath Head Coach Peter Eccles who spent 30 years associated with St Judes.
Eccles said: “It was a very strange experience coming here as an away coach.
"St Judes is a great club where I had some fantastic and successful times but there was always going to be a time where I would return as an opposition.
"We came here to do a professional job and to leave with the points.”
Things are looking good for the Close Street team.
Connor Gannon.
Thatto Heath U18’s are the current holders of the Lancashire Cup and are progressing strongly through the competition in the hopes to retain it once again, and holding their place at the top of the league with local rivals Blackbrook breathing down their necks in second place.
Man of the match went to Lewis Stewart, closely followed by Kieran Dean.
Try Scorers: Kieran Dean 2, Lewis Stewart and Ellis Finney. Conversions: Connor Gannon 3 Drop Goals: Connor Gannon
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