Amateur Rugby League: Widnes St Marie's beat Shaw Cross

Feb 26 2009 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES St Marie’s scraped home 22-14 at bottom-placed Shaw Cross on their return to National Conference League Division One action.

After the Marie’s had conceded their customary early try – also converted – another was only averted thanks to outstanding full-back Ste Riley.

But from the restart the windblown Marie’s put the ball straight into touch and gave Chris Renton another kick near the sticks.

Wingman Danny Sharples looked to have crossed out wide but after discussions with his young touchjudge, the referee ruled the effort out for a forward pass.

This was the first of some bizarre decisions, which frustrated both sides at times but particularly the Marie’s.

However, from a 20-metre surge by Dave Welsh, Andy Benson covered 40 metres, brushing would-be tacklers aside, before unselfishly feeding Birdseye for a self-converted try.

With Shaw Cross already 8-6 up, they added a second touchdown soon after the interval It took a piece of brilliance from young replacement Adam Middleton to haul the visitors back as he pounced for a Birdseye-converted try.

Andy Hibbert was proving impossible to hold and it was no surprise when he, Danny Yates, Craig Dourley and Dave Prescott moved the ball wide for Riley to score.

Another Birdseye penalty pushed the Saints further ahead before Danny Sharples sealed the game in the 70th minute after Yates had broken clear from a Craig Millington pass.

Tony Kirwan was Athena Security MoM, followed by Riley and Dourley.

Bears’ four on the trot

WEST Bank Bears found top gear in a 55-0 romp over Bolton Mets, running in 10 tries to make it four successive wins in Mark Norris Construction North West Counties League’s Division Four.

Carl Dugdale opened the scoring and the Bears crossed the whitewash regularly with Ste Mellor touching down twice and Wayne Courtnage also scoring before half-time.

A hat-trick from Mickey Kelly was the highlight after the break and Kev Lowrie romped over for a brace while Sean Gilmore raced in from 50 metres.

Courtnage kicked five goals to Mellor’s two. Ste Arrowsmith finished the scoring with a drop goal.

Courtnage was a deserving man of the match, followed by Gilmore and Mellor.

Bank put account straight

THE Bears’ under 16s made amends for two close defeats against Haydock by beating the same opposition 38-8

Elliott Taylor took control of the ball to strike first.

Jack Murphy scored from a flat pass to double the lead.

Haydock hit back for 10-4 but Danny Lambert evaded would-be tacklers to get over.

Haydock’s next score proved their last.

At the other end, Bank’s Josh Cassidy scooted over by the posts.

Adam Gee flicked a pass to Ben Walker to keep ball alive and clever play put Chris Brown in at the corner.

Aaron Davies went over and Brown added his second with goal kicker Bebbington completing his stint.

Man of the match was Will Donlan in a performance which will have delighted coach Greg Lawrenson.

Controversial defeat

WEST Bank Bears under 14s were tamed by 20-8 winners Higginshaw Eagles.

Higginshaw showed more commitment and passion.

But nothing seemed to go right for Bank, who suffered from some debatable decisions.

They were behind to a converted try inside two minutes after a defensive fumble.

Loose tackling allowed the Eagles to land another six-pointer after nine minutes although the Bears claimed a double movement.

Quick-thinking Jack White revived the Widnes side’s hopes when he feigned to pass from a tap penalty but instead spun around to score.

Alex Millington, a tireless tackler, was unlucky to see a seemingly good try from a 30-metre kick and chase disallowed.

There was more for Bank to dispute as Higginshaw scored again just before half-time, the Bears believing the player had been held up.

Higginshaw reduced the arrears to make it 20-4 before Mike Donohue grabbed a great individual try for West Bank.

He kicked upfield and regathered from 70m.