Brook second string win St Helens Minor Cup (From St Helens Star)

Brook second string win St Helens Minor Cup

7:09pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in Amateur Rugby League

Blackbrook A 24 Haresfinch 14 BROOK’S second team collected Hattons Solicitors St Helens Minors Cup after surviving a second half rally from Haresfinch.

Brook had built up an 18-4 interval lead only to be pulled back to 18-14 with ten minutes remaining before forward Ian Marsh bulldozed over in the dark to seal his sides victory.

Chris Springford kicked Brook ahead with an early penalty however it was Haresfinch that registered the opening try when Liam Hill finished off a sparkling move to score an unconverted try down the right channel.

Finch's lead didn't last too long a dazzling run and try in the corner from young Winger Jamie McCabe restored Brook’s lead and a superb touchline conversion from Chris Springford extended the margin.

Midway through the half Brook scored again an unforced error gave them an attacking scrum deep in the opposition territory. Scrum Half Danny Beckett collected the ball behind the scrum and found a way through the Haresfinch defence to score a fine individual try in the corner.

Before half time Brook were over again with the try of the match. Ian Marsh burst through the Finch on half way he was supported by Chris Springford who drew the cover and released a pass to Barry McGilvray who finished the move off with a try under the posts, Springford converted to leave Brook with an 18-4 interval lead.

Haresfinch lifted their game after the break and piled pressure on to Brook;s defence a mixture of great defending and Finch loosing possession kept the half scoreless before two tries in 10 minutes brought Haresfinch right back into the game.

Firstly Anthony Harden juggled a pass before stepping through Brooks defence for a superb individual try which Liam Hill converted.

Danny Fletcher reduced the arrears to only four points and with only ten minutes on the clock Haresfinch had the momentum and looked likely to complete the comeback.

Brook were not to be denied however, as darkness eclipsed the playing fields at Thatto Heath Brook launched an attack. Play was soon on the Finch try line and Ian Marsh came onto a pass to force his way for a typical short range try with Springford converting.

Captain Mark Leonard lifted the trophy as Brook had seen off Finch's comeback to claim the trophy after a thrilling Cup Final.

Ian Marsh was The Tisdalls Man of the Match for Brook just ahead of Chris Springford and Danny Beckett whilst Anthony Harden was the top man for Haresfinch.