Rugby union: North Lancs Cumbria League

Last updated 15:49, Wednesday, 27 February 2008

ST BENEDICT’S collected a vital home win on Saturday in a re-arranged North Lancs Cumbria League game against Fleetwood.

Although Oldham edged a 15-13 win at bottom side De La Salle to stay ahead of the Cumbrians, the 13-3 success means the Saints have a fighting chance of avoiding the drop.

Match secretary Ian McQuire said: “It was an important win for us because there’s a group of clubs now with not many points between us all.

“It was very heavy conditions, and the end the pitch was like a quagmire and, to be fair, I think we coped better.

“For virtually the whole of the second half, we were in their half or their 22.”

Fleetwood had their best spell at the start when they opted to play with the wind and they quickly put over a penalty for the lead.

But St Benedict’s came back strongly and scored the opening try on 22 minutes.

Jamie Jardine charged forward to break the line and, when he was tackled, Stephen Routledge fed Lee Wood who charged over for the try.

It stayed that way until the break and, after the change-round, it was St Benedict’s who controlled the remainder of the contest.

Michael Harvey made a good break and Graham Hartley was backing-up to put Carl Huddleston in at the corner.

On 68 minutes, Craig Fisher gave the home side a little more breathing space when he put over a penalty.

St Benedict’s travel to Kirkby Lonsdale on Saturday but Oldham entertain 100 per cent leaders Blackburn.

Meanwhile De La Salle entertain Upper Eden and Didsbury Toc H visit Wigton.