CONSIDERING they are extremely proud to be “the world’s oldest Open Rugby Football Club”, the much changed but still highly civilised Liverpool St Helens must have been a little disappointed to be knocked out of the Intermediate Cup by neighbours West Park.
However, their opponents from a higher division did manage to score four tries to one and would have clinched the result a good deal earlier if they had managed to land their solitary conversion more than three minutes before the end.
Generally speaking, it was an entertaining battle between friendly neighbours, both of whom lacked several first choice selections for a variety of reasons.
That did not stop either side playing positive rugby, but it did emphasise that LSH need to strengthen their defence, especially behind the scrum, a good deal if they intend to progress.
Only a good interception stopped West Park scoring a fifth try shortly before the end and whenever their backs started moving, one got the impression that a try was quite likely.
LSH should have noticed that West Park’s first try from George Tossil arrived after a defender hesitated, to let a kick ahead bounce first, and even when Cunliffe put them in front again just before the interval, they had already looked extremely vulnerable.
A blindside break by Alastair Huberd soon after the interval saw him run half the pitch length to score and regain the lead and another moment of LSH carelessness soon after enabled the visitors to grab a loose ball and score another try through Lee Rooney.
Penalties from Filton enabled LSH to remain in touch, as West’s place kicker Tossil kept missing his angled attempts and three minutes from time the scores were level before Tossil landed his winner.
WIRRAL found unbeaten Tyldesley too strong as they lost interest in the EDF Energy Senior Vase.
It finished 20-5 to the visitors who scored three tries, a conversion and a penalty. Wirral managed a consolation try from Adam Stephens.
Hoylake cruised through 89-0 at the expense of Wigton Wanderers. They scored 15 tries, including one on his debut for Joe Lavin, in a one-sided affair.
Widnes had no problems against visiting North Ribblesdale in a 29-7 outcome but Ormskirk went out 23-12 at Winnington Park.
Sefton finished 23-17 to the good at Wallasey in a re-arranged South Lancashire/Cheshire Two encounter.
Paul Haines, Paul Thompson and Martin Sutton crossed for Wallasey with Matt Climo goaling once.
Brian Gardner went in twice for Sefton and John Evans once. John Fenton proved the match-winner with two penalties in addition to one conversion.
Oldershaw reached the fifth round of the Junior Vase with a comprehensive 65-5 victory over Windermere. Rich Lappin led the way with a hat-trick of tries and there were two apiece for Mike Warren and Mike Chapman.
