TYLDESLEY RU decide to ring the changes in their visit to Eccles for a non-league game.

In came 18 year olds Paul Martin and Rick Pennington at scrum half and wing respectively, Andrew Simpson moved to No.8 and Bill Elliott moved up from the second team at lock.

The changes seemed to have a desired effect when Mark Dickinson crossed the Eccles try line when the Tyldesley forwards won the first lineout of the game after just two minutes. However the home side rallied and scored two converted tries to knockTyldesley back and go in at the half-time break 14-5 up.

Tyldesley began to use the domination of the scrums well but fly-half Dickinson had a off day with some poor decision making at crucial times.

From a maul close to the Eccles line, Craig Pulman peeled away to score and Dickinson converted to bring Tyldesley within two points at 14-12. With Tyldesley camped on the Eccles 22 it was only a matter of time when Eccles gave away a penalty, which they did with less than a minute on the clock. Finally Dickinson found enough composure to kick Tyldesley to a close 15-14 win.

Tyldesley Knights hosted Eccles second team and ran out winners by six tries to

one. Skipper Rob Harrop bagged a brace of tries and there was one each for James Eckersley, Tom Cartwright, John Fetherston and Dave Goulbourne. The strong wind prevented any successful kicks but there was a Man of the Match performance from scrum half Ian Worsfold.

Tyldesley Dragons where too strong for Eccles Third string with a comprehensive 24-7 victory. Good performers on the day where Mick Lewis, Jim Hutton, Jason Norcross and the reliable Joe Dillon.

This Saturday Bury visit St George's Park for a Cumbria & North Lancashire league game. The Knights travel to Bury while the Dragons entertain Bury also at St George's.