Pilkington Recs 20 Golborne Parkside 6 RECS got their return to the premier division of North West Counties League off to a flying start.

Their resolute defending proved to be the key to this win.

In their new shirts, sponsored by St Helens Roofing, Recs opened the scoring on eight minutes when on the last tackle veteran scrum-half Johnny Smith held his nerve while surrounded by defenders, before setting up a move involving Andy Traverse and Mark Forber, who fed hooker Andy Kilmurray who plunged beneath the posts to score. Forber added the conversion.

Despite the loss of skipper Dave Houghton through a shoulder injury Recs continued to press forward. Following a good run from second row man Jason Ledger, he was held down in the tackle and Forber tagged on two more points through the ensuing penalty.

Midway through the half Smith was again the architect as his inside pass found loose-forward Shaun Allen who took the move on, before a short pass saw centre Darren Haigh racing in to score.

On 27 minutes as the homesters were temporarily reduced to 12 men, the visitors reduced the deficit through hooker Neil Kay who stole a try on the last tackle. Andy Parker added the conversion. It was vital for the homesters that they scored first in the second half and they did just that after 10 minutes, with good approach work from forwards Allen and John Rees, before the final pass saw substitute Chris Hillam scoring wide out.

Effectively Recs sealed their victory five minutes later when from just inside their own half Smith supplied the supporting Rees who strode 50 metres to score the final try of the game. Traverse, Haigh and Allen were all unlucky to have later efforts disallowed for infringements.

Neil Morris, Allen, Rees and Kilmurray all worked tirelessly in defence. Wingman Andy Burns was also worthy of mention.

The St Helens Roofing man of the match was Shaun Allen. The Sutton Moss Boarding Kennels award went to Smith.

Recs under 11s B warmed up for the new season with a 40-12 victory ove Latchford. Try scorers were Jamie Atkinson (2), Jon Phillips, Tom Connick, Scott Pennington, Andy Bushell and Mike Cottom.