RUSKIN Park welcomed Oldershaw to Ruskin Drive this week. With the men from the Wirral coming into the game unbeaten, Ruskin expected a tougher test than in recent weeks.

However, it proved to be business as usual as Ruskin maintained top spot in the league with another emphatic victory.

From the kick-off, Ruskin immediately stamped their authority on the game, securing good ball and ensuring Oldershaw were pinned back in their own half through some good offensive kicking and ferocious tackling.

Following a prolonged forward offensive, it was Chris Lyon who crossed the line to open the scoring for Ruskin.

Oldershaw kicked off the restart deep to the Ruskin backline, who effortlessly swung the ball to the left and after a series of offloads and some excellent support play it was Mike Farrelly who scored out wide to push the score onto 10-0.

It was Chris Dyson, excelling since his move to the centre this season, who next got his name on the score sheet. Finishing a well- created back line move to touch down under the posts, Alex Stuart converting, 17-0.

Oldershaw began to show some resolve and put Ruskin under some real pressure in the forwards, their rolling mauls proving very effective in gaining good ground.

However, following a forced turnover Ruskin broke through centre field and Shaun Tress was on-hand to score his 6th try of the season, Stuart converted, 24-0.

It was the Oldershaw forwards that impressed next with a passage of good pressure culminating in a close range try, halting Ruskin’s dominance.

This forced Ruskin to immediately up their game and it was Neale Foster who raced 50m to finish off an excellent back move to cross line. Alex Stuart converting to make it 31-5 at the break.

There was no let off in the second half as Ruskin immediately put Oldershaw under pressure, following an excellent break from Alex Stuart, Chris Lyon was on hand to cross for his second of the game. Stuart himself was next to score following a period of pressure from the Ruskin pack. Converting both tries Stuart pushed the score along to 45-5.

Oldershaw attempted to contain Ruskin with some intelligent kicks behind the Ruskin defence, however it was from one of these kicks that Ruskin recycled quick ball to release Chris Dyson down the wing, evading a number of would-be tacklers to race 60m to the line. Stuart converting to make it 52-5.

Craig Orrick was next to cross following a well-worked line-out move, powering through the Oldershaw defence to touch down under the posts. Stuart converting, 59-5.

Throughout the game the Ruskin backs had been expertly directed by Sam Hughes from fly-half, and it was Hughes who drew the biggest cheer from the players and crowd alike, when he broke through the Oldershaw defence to score his first try of the season. Within minutes, Orrick smashed through a would-be tackler and off-loaded to Hughes who crossed again for his second of the match. Stuart converted both 73-5

Karl Jones was the last Ruskin player to score in what was an excellent team performance.

Jones finished a fine back line move and raced 50m to score under the posts. Stuart converted to end the game 80-5.

Oldershaw showed excellent resilience throughout and fought hard until the final whistle.

Ruskin travel to Oxton Parkonians next week, as they aim to keep the top spot of the Merseyside West Division.