NO less than five players from St Helens thriving amateur scene were selected for Lancashire in their opening game of the BARLA Tri Counties series also involving Cumbria and Yorkshire.

Blackbrook pair Deon Cross and Scott Davidson linked with Sean Leicester, Jack Jones and Mick Ledger of Thatto Heath and despite solid games under the leadership of Ledger, they were just edged out by Cumbria.

Peter Lister (2) and Marcus O'Brien scored Cumbria's tries with Sam Grainey and Jimmy Muir responding for Lancashire. Clayton Sutton also kicked three goals for Cumbria with Leicester adding a solitary goal for the Red Rose county who now need to beat Yorkshire by ten points in the decider at Ince Rose Bridge this Sunday (1pm kick off Under 19s, Open Age following completion of that game).