Tyldesley 10 Liverpool St Helens 25

LIVERPOOL St Helens dug deep to produce a fine all round team performance to see off a very capable Tyldesley outfit in their latest South Lancashire/Cheshire 1 fixture.

Playing in driving rain throughout the Moss Laners took a while to get going and found themselves 5-0 down after 12 minutes when the home side scored from a successful catch and drive.

Finding it hard to get any meaningful possession and severely hampered by a dreadful lineout performance, LSH spent the opening quarter on the back foot.

However, after patiently waiting for an opening they didn’t waste it when in the 23rd minute Jake Hodson broke down the left wing, recycled the ball which was then driven towards the posts for Rob Mitchell to crash over and score.

Dan Filson converted. LSH then spent the remainder of the half repelling everything from the home side with Dan Filson’s boot constantly forcing them backwards. With five minutes to go to half time LSH’s patience was again rewarded when a pin-point cross-field kick from Matty Johnston, now settling in well to his pivotal role at stand-off, saw Hodson beat his opposite number before kicking the ball on and touching down.

LSH went further ahead soon after the break when Filson slotted a penalty.

Now in control LSH began creating more chances, with Matt Cunliffe, back from injury, making two flying breaks down the middle of the field in as many minutes.

The first came to nothing but the second brought the third try when Sam Ward appeared on Matty’s right shoulder, took the pass and sprinted over from 15 yards. Filson converted to put LSH 22-5 in front.

Both sides had battled hard in difficult conditions and it was no surprise that the pace of the game had slowed down before Tyldesley repeated their earlier success with a catch and dive try in the 69th minute.

LSH hit back with a penalty soon after, from Alex McBride, to make the game secure before the referee decided enough was enough and blew for full time.

No game this week before West Park visit Moss Lane on 21 October.