BROUGHTON Park effectively ended Liverpool St Helens’ promotion hopes with a convincing 44-19 win at Moss Lane, claiming the South Lancashire/Cheshire One title in the process.

They produced a display which showed how they are worthy winners, demonstrating speed and strength in every position.

LSH for their part, although outplayed for much of the game, also showed why they have been promotion contenders from September through to April with a typical spirited and gutsy display, full of character, fighting back from being 20-0 down to give a sizeable Moss lane crowd plenty to cheer about in the second half.

The tone for the afternoon was set by the visitors as early as the second minute when they registered their first try, converted, followed soon after by a penalty.

The second try followed on the twenty minute mark although as LSH got themselves into the game, the third score did not arrive until the 43rd minute. This was a game where there was little quarter being asked for or given by both sides and with the first half punctuated by stoppages there was still time for a frantic end to the half.

LSH opened their account through winger Josh Lynch who speedily followed up a neat kick over the Broughton Park defence to score in the left hand corner. Dan Filson converted. Sadly for LSH there was still time for the visitors to hit back, which they did by registering their fourth and bonus point try in the 49th minute, for a 7-25 half time scoreline.

Playing with plenty of intent, LSH reduced the arrears soon after the restart after a good break from Matt Cunliffe was continued by Lynch, finding young full back Matty Johnston who sidestepped his way over the line. Filson converted. Ten minutes later however, Broughton Park scored again, this time from short range before LSH, seeing plenty of the ball and winning a litany of penalties as they put the visitors under pressure hit back themselves with a try from prop Mark Fryer after a series of forwards drives.

As the game neared the close the Champions elect showed why at the final whistle they would celebrate their title, by running in two more tries.

And so LSH’s last home game signalled their first home defeat with the Moss Lane Faithful having had plenty to shout about all season. With just the away game at Leigh to come, the team, together with the coaching staff, can be well proud of their efforts all season.