West Sutton 12 Blackbrook 44 BROOK safely negotiated a potentially tricky tie to move into the last four of the St Helens Hays Chemicals Cup.

During the opening 40 minutes the homesters gave pretty well as much as they got against their National Conference League rivals. But a 70-metre solo effort from Jimmy Forshaw and a converted try by co-centre Ian Callaghan within six minutes of the restart give Brook a crucial 14-point advantage.

Blackbrook eventually got home with something to spare and by full time they were convincing winners. But the final scoreline did scant justice to a spirited effort by the homesters - for whom Craig Jones, Darren Atherton and Paul Binns impressed.

Perhaps the only real blot on the landscape was the 50-minute delay prior to the start as players and spectators awaited the arrival of a match official. Nevertheless, local whistler Phil Smith, and society colleagues Mark Seddon and Gary Towell earned the appreciation of officials of both clubs for stepping into the breech at very short notice to ensure that the game eventually went ahead.

Blackbrook grabbed the early initiative with a try by second row man and skipper Phil Smith after just eight minutes. Ian Callaghan converted, and gave Brook a 10-point advantage with an unconverted try midway through the first half.

West Sutton were eventually rewarded for some enterprising approach play on 25 minutes. They kept the ball alive in front of the posts before the experienced Willie Johnson and Steve Dudley linked up to send second row man Paul Binns in for a converted try.

Ian Callaghan gave Brook valuable breathing space with a try in the corner and a touchline conversion on 32 minutes.

But the home side kept searching for a crucial score themselves and on the stroke of half-time centre Steve Dudley punished a static Blackbrook defence by sending Steve York in for a try which was also converted.

But Blackbrook his a purple patch immediately after the break to put the game out of the homesters reach with 16 points in as many minutes. Within three minutes of the restart Jimmy Forshaw held off three challenges in a 70-metre run down the left flank to grab an unconverted try.

Four minutes later, co-centre Ian Callaghan and winger Mike Maloney launched an attack down the opposite touch line which culminated with Callaghan collecting a lucky deflection before touching down beneath the posts, he also added the conversion.

Blackbrook began to turn the screw and a Steve Marsh try goaled by Callaghan gave them a twenty-point advantage at 32-12.

Mike Maloney, Jimmy Forshaw and Paul Toole added further tries in the closing stages.

The Blackbrook/Construction Power Services man of the match accolade went to Ian Callaghan, with Paul Toole in close contention.

St Helens Crusaders under 15s 10

Blackbrook Royals 30

Royals made full use of a first half wind advantage to race into a 22-0 lead and effectively kill off this local derby.

Proctor and Gamble man of the match Phil Anderton, powerful prop Mark Costello, Warren Taylor (2), Danny Atherton and Barry McGilvary got Royals tries, while Mark Gibson, John Clough and Mark Leonard also stood out.

Next Wednesday March 31, Royals take on the only side to have beaten them this season, Royston Tigers ( kick off 7pm), when victory may well clinch the Championship.

Ince St Williams

under 13s nil Royals 22

Keeping a clean sheet for the 11th time this season, Royals took a giant leap towards the Championship needing now to win their final game at Leigh Miners Rangers this weekend to clinch the title.

BICC Components man of the match James Roby, Craig Littler and David Gwilliam (2) made light of the poor conditions to register the tries with Paul Crooke landing three excellent conversions. Royals under 11s 32

Wigan St Judes 12

Short-handed Royals produced a fine performance and defied terrible conditions to defeat a good St Judes outfit. Franco's man of the match Paddy Flynn (2), Dean McGilvray (2) and Chris Brown and Martyn Bradshaw got the tries while Mat Gartside, Paul Johnson, Scott Holland and top tackler Mike Webster all played well.

St Judes under 10s 12 Royals 42

Man of the match Adam Twamley scored a fine hat-trick as Royals enjoyed a good win. Keiran Edwards (2) and rapidly improving David Gannon and Bobbie Littler also scored with George Stokes leading the defensive effort.

Royals under nines 28

St Judes 8

Royals found this game much easier than the recent cup meeting, playing some fine rugby in poor conditions. Beth Stott took the player of the match award and Chris Magrath was the top tackler.

Andrew Donovan, coaches award winner Liam Brown, Gary Wheeler, Jamie Foster and Shaun Brown got the tries. Danny Leach and Owen Livesey were in outstanding form as Royals under eights enjoyed a successful weekend beating Leigh East on Saturday and Folly Lane on Sunday.

Thomas Johnson, Luke Davies, Josh Cieslar, Liam Taylor, Kyle Stevenson, Robert Murphy, Stephen Raftery, Greg McDonald and Ryan Marsden all were among the tries with Adam Mars and Lawrence Howard also impressing.

Golborne Parkside

under sevens 8 Royals 38

Royals maintained their excellent recent form with tries from Liam Holland (3), Nathan Goodwin, Daniel Craven (3), Allied Signals man of the match Dane Hodginson (2) and Chris Ford (2).

Jordan Kilbride and Daniel Craven were joint top tacklers and Liam Holland took the coaches award.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.