CURRENT league leaders St Benedicts maintained their unbeaten record after a 45-3 win against Tyldesley.

Visitors Tyldesley travelled with an understrength side, although they still should have had enough quality in the team to trouble the hosts.

Poor ball controlled and miss directed passes prevented them from applying and worthy pressure on their opponents.

In truth the main reason for this defeat was defence, which failed to show, allowing Benedicts to run in four first half tries, three converted.

Martin Wallbank converted a penalty in the 13th minute, making it 14-3 after the hosts had hit Tyldesley with two converted tries in the first 10 minutes.

The Bongs then had Dean Brown yellow-carded for a high tackle eight minutes later as it was 26-3 at the break.

Tyldesley started the second period with more aggression and defended much better, restricting Benedicts to only three tries, two converted.

Ed Wallbank, who was Tyldesley’s stand out player along with Chris Thomason, crossed the line, after Craig Pullman drew the defence, before slipping a great ball back inside, but the referee ruled it out for a forward pass.

Tyldesley received a second yellow, finishing the game with 14, after a great tackle from Carl Redford was adjudged to be too high.

The man of the match was Ed Wallbank.