Rugby union: North Lancs Cumbria League

Last updated 15:53, Wednesday, 02 April 2008

ST Benedict’s battle to stay in North Lancs Cumbria looks to be over after an 18-0 defeat at De La Salle.

That enabled the Salford side to leapfrog the West Cumbrians who are some three points off safety with just three games left.

Two of those are away to Oldham and Rossendale and the only one left at Mirehouse is against Wigton.

Club stalwart Ian McQuire said: “I think that’s just about it now and we had no complaints. They were the better team on the day and deserved the win.

“If we can re-group in the Cumbria League and keep these youngsters, we can be like Workington and come back stronger.”

The Saints made a slow start and were soon in arrears to a penalty, and in the first half on a very heavy pitch, had to face the wind and rain.

De La Salle capitalised by running in three tries – two of them off St Benedict’s mistakes.

Wayne Laverick thought he had reduced the arrears just before half-time but was brought back for an earlier offence.

In the second half, Saints had more of the game and were close on several occasions through Stuart Wilson, John Connery and Kurt Maudling but just couldn’t get the ball down.

Number eight Wilson had an outstanding game while new second-row Martin McMullen, playing his first game for the club, showed a lot of promise.