Moldgreen 17 Blackbrook 12

BLACKBROOK got off to an excellent start in this closely-contested Conference League Division One encounter at Huddersfield with a second-minute try by prop Colin Smith goaled by Andy Benson.

The visitors produced a superb first half display playing down the slope to remain in control at the interval but couldn't hold on after the break and slipped to a narrow defeat.

An early rash of penalties fell in favour of Brook and Benson took advantage to open up a 10-0 lead with two successful kicks.

Winger David Holmes reduced the deficit with a penalty for Moldgreen before the break and the ratio then moved sharply in favour of the home side throughout the second 40 minutes.

With the advantage of the pronounced slope now in their favour the homesters' heavier pack turned the game around with a 10-point scoring burst in the opening minutes of the second half.

Substitute forward Scott Smith forced his way over for a try on 43 minutes which David Holmes converted, and four minutes later, second-row Craig McGowan edged them into a two-point lead with an unconverted try.

On 58 minutes Andy Benson landed his third penalty goal of the afternoon to level the scores at 12-all but a drop goal by stand-off Danny Thornton edged 'Green back into the lead on 65 minutes and a fiercely-contested final 15 minutes resulted in a spate of penalties in the homesters' favour with David Holmes converting two from close to the posts to secure Moldgreen's first victory of the season.

Best for Brook were Keiron Lacey, Andy Benson, Andy Fisher and centres Gareth Hill and Andy Holland.

This Saturday Blackbrook entertain Oulton (Leeds) in a Conference Division One encounter at Boardmans Lane, kick-off 2.30pm.

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