LIVERPOOL St Helens came up short at Glossop, losing 18-14 on a day when they were not at full strength and very little went right for them.

In truth, they did not play very well and unfortunately came up against a side well up for it and clearly intent on making a dent in the Moss Laner’s promotion hopes.

Not helped by knee injuries to Matt Cunliffe early in the first half and Sam Molyneux in the second, both forced to leave the field, Sam on a stretcher, LSH, did not help themselves. Starting out with another rearranged half back pairing, enforced changes saw a combination of at least five players performing the roles throughout the match leading to little, if any, direction or fluency when in possession.

Mark Devine and Sam Molyneux (until his injury) stood out for LSH, amongst a team that was not short on effort.

Full credit to the hosts whose game plan of kicking the ball as far as they could, following up and applying pressure, forcing errors and kicking penalties for three points.

They executed it perfectly, landing six successful penalties to win the game.

The dominance provided by their pack in the set piece, particularly the line out, enabled them to do this.

In a symmetrical sequence of scoring Glossop landed three penalties in each half with LSH scoring a converted try in each.

After Glossop had gone 3-0 up, full back John Pape joined the attacking line and neatly sidestepped over from 25 yards.

With stand-off Matt Cunliffe converting LSH were 7-3 in front after five minutes. Not long after, Matt left the field, causing a rearranged backline and a search for a new kicker. Glossop landed two more penalties to lead 9-7 at half time.

The home side went further ahead with two more penalties in the second half as they began to take control.

Then with the score 15-7, winger Jake Hodson, against the run of play and from his own 22 metre line, set off on a run which took him past virtually the entire Glossop team to score a sensational try.

Two previous penalty attempts being unsuccessful by John Pape and Dave Cunliffe, (neither easy), Mark Potter stepped up and coolly slotted the conversion and with five minutes left Glossop led 15-14.

Glossop earned another penalty however, an irony in itself as they had conceded 19 to LSH’s 11, kicked it and ran out 18-14 winners.

LSH are at home to Anselmians 3pm Kick off.