Rugby Scorpions run out of steam! Parkside Golborne 14 Blackpool Scorpions RL U15s 14 Scorpions blew away the cobwebs as their first match in five weeks ended with honours even. They made the brighter start as Christian Cornall finished a move down the right by diving over for the opening try, converted by Anthony Livingstone. Scorpions were just as clinical down the left as Zack Ward raced in for the second, with both tries converted by Anthony Livingstone to make it 12-0. However, Scorpions paid a price for their recent lack of matches and Parkside hit back with two tries of their own, though missed conversions meant the visitors held a four-point lead at half-time. Scorpions’ tackling improved after the break, with Oliver Jordan to the fore. Even so, Parkside scored a third try, adding the goal this time to take the lead. Man of the match Omar Frederick inspired the Scorpions reply, though defences were very much on top. But as the final moments ticked away, Scorpions were awarded a close-range penalty which Livingstone goaled to tie the match. Both sides had late drop goal attempts but the draw was a fair result. Tom Drury made his debut off the bench for a Scorpions side which lined up as follows: Joe Bullock, Adam Constantine, Christian Cornall, Zack Ward, Matthew Hulme, Liam Wilkinson, Oliver Jordan; John Beattie, Matty Egan, Omar Frederick, Tom Anderson, Joe Williams, Anthony Livingstone, Matty Cotton, Kyle Daniel, Tom Drury, Adam Butcher. Scorpions U13s 18 Crosfields Cardinals 44 THE relentless Warrington side dashed any hopes Scorpions had of pulling level with them in the league table. Leaders Crosfield applied pressure from the start and capitalised on failings in the Scorpions defence. They ran in four first-half tries, converting two. The only response from Scorpions, who played most of the match with 12 men after a sending off, was a try from the hard- working George Higgins, converted by Jordan Tierney to make it 20-6 at the break. Scorpions did improve in the second half, with Jordan Curtis, Thomas Downing, Scott Butler and man of the match Higgins all working very hard. This resulted in a second try for Higgins before captain Jordan Curtis dived in from close range, both tries improved by Tierney. However, a depleted Scorpions side were always second best and Crosfields ran in five more tries to seal an emphatic victory. Skipper is the try star Blackpool Junior Colts 10 Bolton 3 Blackpool made a winning start to 2008 in this close-fought contest in testing conditions. The match was preceded by a minute’s silence followed by applause for two Bolton players who lost their lives in a road accident. Blackpool applied the early pressure as clever kicking by stand-off Grant Blackshaw pinned Bolton back. Ross Mellor Clark, Will Richardson and wingers Adam Davies and Simon Wilkinson all kept the pressure on but Bolton held firm until Ryan Holmes chased a deep kick to force a penalty which Blackshaw slotted over. Strong driving runs from Benny Evinson and Jon Ashcroft then enabled captain Ben Holland to score to the the only try of the game and Blackshaw’s conversion made it 10-0. Second rowers Mike Mitchell and Tomas Sanderson were dominant for Blackpool, though Bolton did manage to cut the deficit by half-time with a penalty. Despite some attractive rugby from both sides, the second half remained scoreless. However, Blackpool protected their lead comfortably to keep their title bid on track. Head coach Paul Moran said “The boys played well in the conditions of the pitch and the competition for places is hotting up”. Email us and tell us about your stories!