HINDPOOL Tigers sit proudly on top of the North West Men's League's Division Two following their 34-12 win over Waterhead “A” at Brisbane Park.
In a highly competitive 80 minutes, both teams attacked with flair with the Tigers coming out on top.
Both defences were on top in the opening minutes before the Tigers went into a 6-0 lead.
Swift handling across the field saw Connor McDermott cut inside the cover to dot the ball down, Ryan Kyte added the conversion.
Waterhead lost a golden opportunity to put points on the board when full-back Jamie Mayall linked up in attack only for a long ball to winger Cole Pimblett going into touch.
A counter-attack saw the Tigers stretch their lead when Reece Craig made a telling break and a neat pass to Jack Osman saw the full-back touchdown for Kyte to convert 12-0.
Waterhead came back strongly inspired by stand-off Cameron Robinson, but the playmaker lost the ball close to the line.
Good defending by the Tigers minutes later saw four players involved bringing down Robinson short of the line.
Four minutes from the break, the Tigers made it 18-0 with smart play from Kieran Sharp paving the way for Zack Middlehurst to cut inside the cover to score, Kyte adding the goal.
From the restart, Jamie McIlroy knocked on from where Luke Barbour touched down, Mayall added the goal 18-6.
Five minutes into the second half, Sharp went down the short side, and on his shoulder was Reece Craig to dot the ball down, 22-6.
And when Lewis Sayle raced clear after intercepting, galloping in for a fine try was Rocco Scarpone, McDermott adding the goal 28-6.
Ryan Lord pulled back a try with Mayall converting only for a quick response from the home side seeing Kyte send Osman over the line, Kyte adding the goal 34-12.
Roose Pioneers came out second best at West Bank Bears losing 50-6 notching a consolation try from Sam Beattie and conversion from Matty Roberts.
Pioneers ran out of substitutes in the second half due to injuries, in a team that paraded three under 18s.
Ulverston went down 32-12 at Westhoughton Lions after trailing 18-12 at the break, tries came from Jack Aiken and Marc Storey with two goals from Jay Smoothy.
Dalton pulled off a fine win at Burtonwood Bridge 14-12 in Division One with tries coming via Dan Knott, Brad Richards, and Owen Bridle with one goal from Pat Kelly.
Askam registered their first win in the Cumberland league defeating Egremont “A” 38-22 leading 16-10 at the break.
Tries came from Lucas James, Luke Bolton, Liam Somerville, Rob Cockayne, Joey Blowers, Luke McIntee and Oliver Guest with five goals from Lewis Stables.
In the Conference, Millom lost 32-12 at home to Oldham St Anne’s with tries from Josh Blinkhorn and Kyle Evans with two Lee Postlethwaite goals.
No joy though for Barrow Island who went down 34-6 at Pilkington Recs, Jake Stockdale crossed for a try with Sam Jones converting.
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