Pilkington Recs 32

FULL back Mark Ashton celebrated his call up for the Great Britain Under 23s squad with a hat trick of tries for the unbeaten Division 1 league leaders.

After a strong start by Recs it was Ashton who opened their account, accelerating past the cover from 30 yards after being put through a gap by stand-off Tim Critchley.

Winger Barry Pope converted and with three-quarters turned packmen Rick Shaw and Andy Burns in the thick of the action Recs were on top in the forwards.

The good platform laid on by the pack paid dividends when the ball was spun to the right and Andy Traverse broke the line and charged in from 40 yards.

Midway through the first half Hindley began to put together some clever attacking play which was rewarded when they created an overlap and scored down Recs' right flank.

That left the score at 10-4, but after a 'bomb' by scrum-half Ste Rawsthorne, Critchley touched down and Pope goaled from wide out to extend the lead, which was reduced when the home side crossed after good support play.

After a shaky start to the second half Ashton settled Recs down with his second solo effort, though Hindley did respond with their third try after sloppy defence.

The contest was effectively settled though when Ashton completed his hat-trick after taking a superb offload by second rower John Rees close to the line.

Pope goaled before the scoring was rounded off with a free flowing move. After a Traverse break the ball was quickly transferred from right to left and Mike Loughlin and Craig Burrows combined to send fellow substitute Ste Smith over