SCORPIONS' hard-earned victory was a personal triumph for Craig Campbell who scored a hat-trick of tries -- the second one his 100th for the team.

Waterhead took the lead with a penalty after the Scorpions were caught offside. A crunching tackle by hard-hitting Sam Clark forced a Waterhead player to lose possession ten metres from his own line. The Scorpions took advantage and Jon Green flung out a long defence-splitting pass to Craig Campbell who strolled over.

Full-back Shaun Towell supported a Scorpions attack and dived over under the posts. Campbell converted and a few minutes later kicked a penalty to make the score 12-2.

The Scorpions pinned their opponents back in their own half but failed to take advantage of numerous chances to score. Steve Morris went over from close range but lost the ball as he was tackled over the line. Waterhead had a penalty to allow them to relieve the pressure but they failed to find touch and Towell retrieved the ball, made a 30 metre run, and passed to Campbell who beat the cover defence to score his 100th try to make the score 16-2 at half-time.

Shortly after the break, Ben Simpson went on a mazy run, beating four defenders to score in the corner. But injuries to Clark, Green and Willich disrupted the Scorpions for a while and the Oldham side came storming back with two converted tries to make it 20-14.

The Scorpions increased their lead when Chris Pearson made a break, passed to Campbell and he raced from halfway to score.

Waterhead scored another try near the end. Darren Knight made an impressive debut as a second half substitute with some strong runs.

RESULT: Blackpool Scorpions 24 Waterhead 18