Ellis Archer continued what has been a superb year for him by running in a hat-trick, as Roose pioneers under-15s won 34-4 on the road at Leigh Miners Rangers Golds in the North West Counties Youth League Play-offs last Sunday.

With some of the team playing football in the Lancashire Cup, the Pioneers travelled down to Leigh with only 15 players, but they made light of their lack of numbers as they grew in confidence.

On a pitch that resembled a mud bath, the Pioneers lads started off slow, making a few uncharacteristic mistakes as they looked to bed themselves in.

The forwards from both sides found it hard going in the mud, but the Pioneers’ pack started to dominate up the middle.

From this platform, the visitors started using their backs and spreading the ball about and once they got their first try they seemed to up their game and started playing some good rugby.

This eventually led to a comfortable win in Group 3, with Archer scoring three of their six tries. Louis France, Josh Cohen and Ross Barrett where the other Roose players to cross the whitewash as they recorded their third win in four games.

Archer, who is on St Helens’ books, has been scoring tries and kicking goals for fun all season and he has been rewarded for his stunning form with a nomination for the North West Counties Division Three Player of the Year award.

With only three games of the season left, next week is the young Pioneers’ last home game, which comes against Division Two outfit Crosfields, kick-off at 12pm.