THE game was played at Aigburth, in the slightly surreal surroundings of the Liverpool Cricket Club and recalled the formation of the former Liverpool Rugby Football Club way back in 1857.

Although far from a classic, it certainly provided the large crowd with plenty of interest and excitement.

After leading 15-3 and then being overtaken just before the end Collegiate claimed the points in dramatic fashion with a penalty in the fifth minute of added time.

LSH had every right to feel hard done by but could also reflect on a poor first half when they were thoroughly outplayed by the home side.

The biggest mystery of the half was how LSH ended it by being only seven points behind so much had the home side dominated proceedings.

That they pulled the game round in the second forty minutes is testament to the character and determination of the Moss Laners, blighted by injuries and unavailability’s, not helped during this encounter by the serious injury to ever-present back row man James Burrows after 20 minutes.

The recovery owed much to the introduction of Dave Cunliffe at half time, a very late addition to the LSH bench, providing a much needed impetus and hard edge to LSH’s attacking play.

Both sides landed early penalties before Collegiate took command gaining the upper hand in the lineout and the scrum.

With the LSH defence at its most resolute they didn’t score again until the 36th minute a converted try from a catch and drive, which was how they reached half time.

Disaster struck for LSH immediately on the restart when Collegiate immediately scored their second try.

Thereafter LSH somehow got their act together and gradually worked into the game. The three teenage lads in the backs, Mackenzie Laing, making his debut, Dan Heslop and John Romano all of whom performed with great credit throughout, grew in confidence and made darting runs to make inroads into opposition territory whilst skipper Darren Wilson and Jake Hodson both took a greater hand in the game. They were rewarded in the 74th minute when Wilson broke free down the left flank before passing to Hodson, cutting inside to score by the posts.

Filson converted.

LSH continued to pressure and a series of pick and go’s in the 78th minute took them from the half way line to the Collegiate try line for prop Mark Fryer to dive over for the try that tied the scores.

Dan Filson landed the conversion to give LSH the lead.

A half which had seen a few stoppages was to require some added time and in the fifth and subsequently last minute LSH were penalised on their own 22 metre line for holding on.

As the ball sailed over the posts this was a cruel blow for the Moss Laners who have now become slightly detached from the Division’s front runners but a hard fought victory for Collegiate who now look set to reward their supporters and their Sports Club with another season in South Lancashire/Cheshire 1.

This Saturday LSH are at away to Sefton. Kick Off 2.15.