LIVERPOOL St Helens battled through atrocious conditions to register victory over Whitehaven based St Benedicts in the first of their RFU Northern Division National Cup qualifying group.

For seventy minutes, with LSH trailing by two points and St Benedicts 6-8 in front, there was nothing between the two sides, both riding high in their respective leagues.

The final ten minutes and the time added on however, saw LSH steadily impose their strength and fitness on the visitors and led by a tremendous series of charges from Dave Cunliffe they dominated possession, territory and ultimately the scoreboard.

The scrum which had struggled in the first half, gradually began to push the Cumbrians backwards and with ball in hand LSH made good ground, ultimately winning one of the many penalties conceded by the visitors for Dan Filson to kick LSH ahead 9-8 in the 71st minute.

Cunliffe, having led the LSH line all afternoon, then seemed to step up a gear and supported by the ever busy Sam Molyneux and Dan Webster, took the ball to within a yard from the St Benedicts line.

This set up a series of attacks before Cunliffe himself joined the fray to bulldoze his way over for the first try of the game in the 76th minute.

LSH, crucially, followed up their advantage with a disciplined and controlled last few minutes, retaining possession and getting further reward with a try in time added on from Phil Kearns, once again outstanding throughout, finishing off a strong pack drive. Converted by Filson.

The first half saw LSH go ahead with a penalty in the second minute from Filson with St Benedicts responding strongly seven minutes later to score a try through after a good midfield break from Karl Maudling.

Filson edged LSH ahead with another penalty almost immediately after, before the visitors regained the lead 6-8, also with a penalty in the 18th minute.

With a howling wind and driving rain and both sides giving their all, that’s how the score remained for the next 53 minutes with St Benedicts largely attacking in the LSH half and the Moss Laners maintaining technical discipline and defence standing firm.

Then came LSH’s strong finish, just when it mattered, to win by a scoreline which although flattering them and was harsh on the visitors for their afternoon’s efforts, was a just reward for an effective and controlled performance.

This Saturday LSH are at home to Hoylake 2.15.