A POWERFUL, second half display of controlled rugby by Blackburn's pack of forwards was key to this victory which moved Blackburn to the top of the North West 3rd XV League.

With a strong wind behind them Blackburn started well and scored after 15 minutes when captain Simon Calcutt burrowed his way over the line. Broughton Park immediately equalised with a well worked try through the back row.

The visitors grew in confidence, and with some astute kicking by their fly half Blackburn were being forced into attacking from deep inside their own territory.

This played into Broughton Park's hands as Blackburn could not penetrate a fast and well marshalled defence. Problems increased towards the end of the half when from a tap penalty Blackburn were caught off guard and the opposition winger sprinted into the corner to score.

Led by scrum half Scott Foster, Blackburn's pack needed to take control of the game Foster did not disappoint. With blind side flanker Simon Tab in close support he played a darting, tight game that Broughton Park had no answer to.

With Blackburn's front row of Trevor Ridehalgh, Simon Calcutt and Roger Carins beginning to take control in the tight the half time changes began to pay dividends. Blackburn pushed the visitors off a scrum ball and Mark Bullen gathered the ball to score.

From the restart, two successive drives by second rowers Johnny Hayhurst and Steve Jones allowed Foster to exploit a wide blind side channel. Linking with open side flanker Steve Neville he provided quick ball allowing fly half Luke Elston to score out wide.

A second try by Elston was followed quickly by another when centre Nick Archer expertly drew two defenders to create the necessary gap for his fellow centre Andrew Sutcliffe to dart over.

This was an impressive second half performance by a pack of forwards that is growing in confidence and stature each week.

Blackburn played with a pace and tenacity that their opponents could not match and in the end were deserved winners.

With performances like this the future for the rest of the season looks good.

BLACKBURN DEVELOPMENT XV...25 BROUGHTON PARK...10