Liverpool Collegiate 30 Tyldesley 3

TYLDESLEY firsts travelled to Aigburth, Merseyside, and kicked off their season in the South Lancashire and Cheshire Two Division having being relegated last season.

They faced a side that only just missed out on promotion last season, in their final game.

It was always going to be a tough encounter, against a quick physical side that retained the ball well and played some excellent rugby.

Tyldesley took an early lead via a Wallbank penalty after just two minutes, but a quick response had Collegiate go over for an unconverted try four minutes later. From then on it was practically all defence.

A converted penalty in the 14th minute, followed by another try five minutes later, increased their lead even further.

Dickinson had to be withdrawn due to injury not long after, which didn’t help matters. Liverpool ended the half by adding a seven-pointer with just minutes remaining. 20-3 The second period started well straight from kick off. Brown, who had a great game, and led from the front, made a fantastic break supported well by Davies, that had them go just inches from the whitewash, but possibly wrong options and good defence prevented a score.

This was the start of a decent 10-minute spell for Bongs, strong running from Fetherston, another who led from the front, never taking a backward step.

D Twizell, T Twizell caused a few problems but just as in the first half ball retention and poor team defence was a problem.

Collegiate crossed for two more tries, both unconverted, in the 60th and 65th minute, which rounded off a deserved win.