Blackburn RUFC 39 Waterloo RUFC 19

BLACKBURN stunned Waterloo with a blistering first half performance to convincingly win the Lancashire Plate.

Roared on by a partisan crowd of senior players, committee members and family and friends -- Blackburn played with speed and verve to roar to a 27-0 lead by the break.

Waterloo were left shellshocked as Blackburn put in a performance of total continuity rugby and, when it was needed, steeley resistence. Nick Archer put Blackburn ahead with a well struck penalty before the home side ran in four tries in a pulsating purple patch.

David Floyd, in his first season of rugby following his conversion from football, ran a full 50 yards to score in the corner and Archer converted to make it 10-0.

With half backs Gareth Bullen and Luke Elston orchestrating affairs, Waterloo's defence was questioned time after time.

And after another unpredicatable sortie into the Waterloo 22, centre Andrew Sutcliffe sythed through the visitor's defence to score an uncoverted try. Influentional stand-off Elston then showed some wonderful individual skill when he suckered the visitors with a dummy pass to cut inside and score under the posts.

Archer converted to make it 22-0.

The half ended as it began with the forwards giving their larger rivals a lesson in rucking and ball retention -- spearheaded by outstanding flanker Mark Bailey. And after some unrelenting forward pressure, prop Steven Neville made an angled run off Bullen's pass and bullied and barged is way over the line. It was asking too much of Blackburn to replicate what had happened in the first half.

Waterloo, bolstered by three half time substutes, began with aggression and purpose -- something that was missing in the first half.

And it served them well as they ran in two tries within 10 minutes.

Blackburn's lead was further reduced when Waterloo scored a third try to make it 27-19.

Waterloo now appeared to have built up an irresistable momentum -- and only some last ditch tackles from Richard Dewhurst prevented further scores.

However, Blackburn's young side have a comaraderie and team spirit which, though bruised and battered, saw them galvanise their efforts and run in two late tries.

Centre Sutcliffe grabbed his second of the game before number eight Willie Stockton sealed the victory.

The club thanked the Lancashire RFU, match referee, staff and supporters for making it a day to remember.