AN evenly matched and enjoyable encounter saw Liverpool St Helens triumph, 20-8 over New Brighton, scoring two tries to one to retain second spot in South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One.

An open and expansive game produced numerous chances on both sides and was ultimately decided by the defences, both staying strong but LSH more so.

LSH also had the significant benefit of an outstanding half back pairing, Darren Wilson igniting everything for LSH going forward and Dan Filson his unflappable partner, controlling the midfield.

Filson’s 15-point haul also came in handy.

The visitors had an opportunity to go ahead in the 25th minute but missed a penalty before Dan Filson made no mistake with two successful kicks in the 29th and 38th minutes to put LSH 6-0 at half time.

Immediately after the restart LSH scored the try that had eluded them all first half when after good work from the ever busy Sam Molyneux, Filson put in a short lob-kick over the New Brighton defence, ran through to catch it without breaking stride and then ran round and outpaced the full back to score in the left hand corner before landing the touchline conversion.

New Brighton hit back in the 51st minute with a penalty and a try five minutes later when a high kick was allowed to bounce by the otherwise solid LSH defence, falling into the grateful hands of the opposition.

A penalty ensued, was kicked to the corner and the resulting catch and drive brought a try to make it 13-8.

The final quarter was a frantic affair until the outcome was effectively settled by Wilson in the 70th minute, scooting away from the base of an LSH drive, running around the blind side and touching down from 20 yards. Filson converted.