IT was a pity that Saturday’s eagerly awaited derby had to be played in such atrocious conditions,with gale force winds and driving rain meaning the result was always going to be something of a lottery.

The visitors, with the wind at their backs, exerted considerable pressure on the home side early on and after a number of penalties stand off Liam Hill dummied his way over for a neat try which was converted by Warren Hunt.

Ruskin, playing into the teeth of the wind, found difficulty in getting into their opponents’ half but on a rare occasion that it did happen the home side retrieved the ball from a loose maul and good passing across the line allowed the winger to squeeze in at the corner.

Although West Park’s attack looked sharp as their forwards were in control, in the face of good defence they could not take advantage leaving only two points the difference at half time.

West Park then did well on a number of occasions to recycle the ball, and after one particularly good forward drive, back rower Matt Potter crashed over for a try which went unconverted.

Ruskin were starting to adapt to the elements to greater effect, with astute kicking by stand off Fogerty forcing the visitors back into their 22-metre area for long periods.

Despite their best endeavours the visitors were unable to deny Ruskin a further try as a driving maul from five metres brought a score amid a mass of bodies, with Fogerty converting to level the scores.

The conditions became increasingly difficult and the stalemate continued.

Fortune, however, smiled on the home side as with only a few minutes to go the referee awarded Ruskin Park a penalty which Fogerty converted to give the home side a win and a vital four points, leaving West Park with only one point to show for their valiant efforts.

On Saturday West Park entertain Tyldesley at Red Rocks, kick off 2.15pm.