LIVERPOOL St Helens triumphed in this tremendous tussle between two closely matched teams. In a slight departure from the norm the LSH tries all came from the backs whilst the visitors relied on their powerful forwards to do the damage.

Glossop struck first in the 8th minute when completing an effective forwards drive, before LSH replied through skipper Darren Wilson with a perfect dummy ghosting through to score after excellent work from Sam Molyneux, converted by Matt Cunliffe.

Glossop immediately countered with a successful penalty after 20 minutes. LSH then took hold of the game with two tries in the next ten minutes.

The first came from a speedy move down the left flank after Mark Fryer had punctured a hole in the Glossop defence with Dave Cunliffe and Ian Stanley linking to release Mark Potter for a 40 yard burst to touch down.

Matt Cunliffe converted. The second was a cracker with all the backs contributing to a smart attacking move leading to Matt Cunliffe neatly rounding the defensive cover to score.

Glossop’s response was immediate and determined as they camped out close to the LSH line for the remaining ten minutes of the half.

Crucially however and ultimately a key factor in the win, the LSH defence stood firm and they failed to score.

LSH extended their lead shortly after the restart with a fine try down the right wing by Alex McBride, on as a replacement for the injured Dan Heslop, after good work from Matt Cunliffe, who converted the try, on his way to a man of the match performance.

The Glossop forwards had threatened to take a hand in the result all afternoon and for the remainder of the match – they did.

LSH’s lineout had failed to fire and with little possession it was a long final 25 minutes.

Glossop registered their second try after a line-out close to the LSH line, before Matt Cunliffe landed a penalty to put LSH further ahead by 29-13.

Glossop’s pressure told with eight minutes to go with another forwards try, converted, to set up a grandstand finish.

With LSH once again defending determinedly the visitors pack was kept out until the final minute when they scored their bonus point try.

The missed conversion was accompanied by the final whistle.

LSH travel to Widnes on Saturday. Kick off 2.15.