Barrow Island u/18s 10 Blackbrook Bulldogs 12

BATTLING Brook picked up a National Youth league 'double' over the Cumbrians with this hard-earned victory.

Electing to play up the pronounced slope, Brook were soon six points in arrears but fought back with tries by Junction Fencing man-of-the-match Jon Hale, from a clever inside ball from outstanding stand-off Mark Gibson, and Mark Leonard, both converted by Darren Woods.

Although Barrow scored early in the second half, some tremendous defence, in which Phil Fairclough, Shane White and Scott Lyon excelled, ensured that the Bulldogs' line was never again threatened and they spurned a number of opportunities to clinch a more convincing victory.

And with most of the remaining games at home Brook could yet figure in the final league reckoning.