Blackbrook 22 Bank Quay Bulls 24 (From St Helens Star)

Blackbrook 22 Bank Quay Bulls 24

11:51am Monday 9th July 2012 in Amateur Rugby League

The 12 men of the Bulls snatched the victory in the biggest game of season in the new North West Mens League.

Brook held the lead three times in this battle of the two unbeaten teams however it was Bank Quay that finally went home with the two points.

Brook opened the scoring ten minutes into the contest following a period of of pressure on the Bulls line it was a charging run from Lee Marsh that unsettled the defence enabling Ian Honey to spot a gap in the defence to go over and score with Chris Springford converting.

Kiel Hillman took a long pass to bundle his way at the corner as the Bulls responded only to be brought back for a forward pass.

Fifteen minutes into the game Brook doubled their lead. Scott Holland came on a mazy run to the try line before Scott Lyon took play to visitors try line. Lyon somehow released the ball in the tackle and Ian Honey was unhand to put out a neat inside to Chris Springford who crossed with Lee Marsh adding the extras.

The Bulls hit back with two converted tries in as many minutes. Firstly former Brook man Darren Forshaw took Anthony Braides pass from the base of a scrum to score an easy try.

From the re-start a break from Eddie Vaughan took play into Brook’s half and Paul Cragg burst away from the play the ball to score under the posts.

Brook recovered from loosing the lead and on the half our mark a penalty had the home team on the attack. A flat pass under the posts from Ian Honey found Ben Howard who forced himself over the line with Springford adding the conversion.

Brook went looking for more points before the interval Danny Davies crossed the try line in the corner only to be controversially ruled as being held up and Scott Holland drop goal attempt sailed wide as the whistle went.

Bank Quay were reduced to twelve men in the fifth minute of the second half when Paul Cragg saw red following a high tackle on Danny Davies as the Brook looked to break away.

Within minutes though the Bulls were level again a break from the elusive Craig White set up the supporting Eddie Vaughan to score with White adding the extras.

Mid way through the half Brook were back in front it was Ian Honey again in thick of the action he sent Kyle Smith away. Smith shrugged off the tackle from full back Vaughan to plunge over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Again the lead didn't last too long consecutive attacking scrums had Brook defending their own line however they could not hold out prop Ste Bird how came on a charging run to the try line Craig White added the conversion to give his side the lead for the first time.

Brook strived to find a winning score another break away from Kyle Smith came to nothing and Scott Holland came onto a Lee Marsh pass and break through only loose his footing as he turned inside the full back.

The Twelve men of Bank Quay held out for the win leapfrogging Brook to the top of the league.

Danny Davies was selected as The Tisdalls Man of the Match with Scott Holland taking the AB Sundecks Players Man of the Match.