Pilks off to winning start

Pilkington Recs A have got their 2021 NWML campaign underway with a 20-10 win over Thatto Heath Crusaders B at Ruskin Drive.

It was a bit of a scrappy opening, with both sides making errors in the opening exchanges.

Eventually, it was Thatto who took the lead after 24 minutes. They managed to break down the left-hand side and the winger went through after a two-on-one with a Pilks defender. The conversion was unsuccessful, meaning they led by four points.

Four minutes later, Pilks levelled after Karl Ingham intercepted a pass and ran half the length of the pitch to score. Lewis Caine scored the conversion to put the hosts into a two-point lead.

That was the way it stayed going into half-time.

Just four minutes into the second half, Pilks extended their lead. Luke Riley took in a short ball and went over by the posts. Caine put the conversion attempt wide, meaning the lead stood at six points.

Three minutes later, Pilks added another. A high kick went up, which was spilled by the Thatto fullback, allowing Danny Lynch to go over. Caine was again off-target with the conversion attempt.

Pilks then found themselves down to 12 men, as Kurt Asson was sent to the sin bin for saying something out of turn.

Thatto then threw themselves a lifeline as their hooker went from dummy half from close range to score. They got the conversion to get them into double figures.

However, they were not back in it for long. Phil Riley made a run out of dummy half, and Lynch was in support to go over for his second. Caine scored the conversion to give them their 10-point lead back.

That was the way it stayed, giving Pilks a winning start to the season. They will hope to continue that when they welcome Wigan Spring View to Ruskin Drive on Saturday.