Scorpions bite

FORMER Blackpool Borough stalwarts Carl Briscoe and Paul Gamble teamed up again to help the Scorpions to a crucial league win.

Their opponents, St Helens Vine, previously had a 100 per cent record and it was they who took the lead with a converted try from a cross-field kick on the last tackle.

Carl Briscoe, a lot heavier than when he played at Princess Street, was making his presence felt and started the move which led to the Scorpions first try.

His break enabled Chris Pearson and Dave Tanner to combine and send Gareth Chadwick racing under the posts. Craig Campbell converted to level the scores.

The Scorpions poor ball control made life difficult for themselves and Vine took advantage to score another converted try to lead 12-6 at half-time.

Soon after the break the Scorpions levelled the scores again when Dave Tanner made a surging run and prop forward Dave Ratcliffe supported him to score next to the posts.

But Vine took the lead again with a drop goal and a try making it 12-17.

The Scorpions began to take control of the game and Dave Tanner finished off a fine move by scoring under the posts. Campbell converted to give the Scorpions the lead for the first time in the match at 18-17.

The St Helens side were rattled now and losing their discipline and Campbell increased the Scorpions lead with a penalty. Carl Briscoe made a strong run and teenager Luke Valente supported on the inside and he passed to Julien Irving who touched down for an excellent try to make the score 26-17. Briscoe kept pinning the Vine back in their own half with some long raking kicks.

Ben Simpson chased one such kick and just beat his opposing winger to the ball, kicked ahead, regathered and dived over the line in the corner. Craig Campbell converted magnificently from the touchline, allowing for the wind to curl it over the crossbar.

He made it seven kicks out of seven when he finished off the scoring with a last minute penalty to secure an emphatic victory.