THREE goals in the space of seven first half minutes proved to be just about enough for Rishton to hold off a spririted Rovers fightback and lift the Birtwistle Cup.

A Matt Pendergast double and another strike from Ian 'Giggsy' Dewhurst put Rishton in full control of a lively cup final at the home of Darwen FC.

But while the first half was all about Rishton's attacking flair, the second was about dogged defending -- and it was Luke Williamson who did more than most to make sure that Rishton's rearguard was not breached.

The big centre back was immense in the heart of the Rishton defence as Rovers rallied and piled on the pressure after the break.

The fact that Rovers only managed one goal was largely down to some fine defending by Williamson and his fellow defenders.

But Williamson and co were hardly troubled in the first half as Rishton threatened to run riot.

Tom Thompson forced Gareth Barratt in to a good close range save before Rishton scored the first of three quick goals.

Barratt did well to save Sean Ryan's initial effort but Pendergast was on hand to fire home the lose ball. The keeper was also unlucky with the second goal when he denied Pendergast who had raced on to Rob Wade's superb pass only for Dewhurst to drill home the rebound from the edge of the area.

And the match seemed to be beyond Rovers when Pendergast held off his marker to fire hard and low past Barratt.

Rovers had a glorious chance to pull a goal back before the break but Ben Mason blasted over the bar.

But Rovers came out fighting in the second half and this time it was Rishton who were put under pressure and MHG pulled a goal back on the hour.

John Mason's drilled free kick was nodded on to Ben Mason who this time made no mistake. Rovers kept plugging away with Anthony Whittaker orchestrating everything in the middle of the park.

And they went close to a second but Rishton keeper Russ Howarth denied John Mason before Williamson cleared Paul Rowlands follow-up off the line.

Mark Leatherd then forced Howarth in to a good save before Mick Newton's shot on the turn was blocked.

A second goal at that stage would have shifted the balance of power in Rovers favour.

But Rishton held firm thanks largely to the heroics of Williamson, who ran himself in to the ground and came off with cramp five minutes from time.