LIVERPOOL St Helens' crucial game at home to Kirkby Lonsadale, seen by many as pivotal in this season’s Regional 2 North West relegation battle, certainly did not disappoint.
Two evenly matched sides, both playing with passion and energy, shared ten tries in a game with the result in doubt until the very last play.
Alas, it was one that got away for the Moss Laners, pipped 31-27.
LSH took the field with a number of erstwhile retired players including the Cunliffe brothers, Jan Lourens and Dan Filson and after conceding an early try produced a fine early spell to give themselves a 12-5 lead.
To the delight of the Moss Lane faithful, Dave Cunliffe charged through for the first try after good work from Matthew, followed soon after by a neat side stepping try from Matty Wood, converted.
The visitors then drew level on the half hour mark when scoring a converted try from close range.
And then, as half time approached and with the 12-12 score line truly reflecting the first 40 minutes action, LSH conceded a crucial try, converted from the touchline.
Worse was to come when the Cumbrian outfit scored within two minutes of the restart.
Thereafter LSH were chasing the game.
But chase it they did with a fine try down the left touchline from Alex McBride in the 53rd minute followed by a try from a strong pack drive touched down by John Arnold after 62 minutes.
Once again though, Kirkby hit back three minutes later when their stand-off executed a neat chip and chase to score under the posts.
The Moss Laners rallied again and piled on the pressure for the rest of the game. Numerous chances close to the visitor’s line came to nothing and they didn’t do themselves any favours by failing to find touch from a number of penalties.
With less than five minutes to go, Winger Jack Kennedy, mysteriously starved of the ball throughout, eventually went looking for a touch and cropped up on the left hand touchline to race through a couple of tackles and score LSH’s fifth try.
Ultimately though, despite a great effort, it was too little, too late.
On Saturday (20 January) LSH are at home to League Leaders Birkenhead Park (rearranged fixture). 2.15pm.
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