Pilkington Recs fell to a fifth straight defeat against Kells, but could be proud of a spirited display at Ruskin Drive.

Pilks made five changes to the side that lost narrowly against Oulton Raiders a fortnight ago. Jack Tinsley, Koby Prescott, Scott Simmons, Tom Eastwood and Richard Rafferty all came out of the side. Replacing them were Ben O’Connell, Lewis Caine, Aidyn Jones, Tom Connick and Ewan Gilford, who was making his first team debut.

It was an even opening. Kells took the lead after six minutes, with Pilks responding just five minutes later. Zak Hopkins ran a great line to get through the defence before passing inside to Josh O’Connell to score. Connick added the conversion to level the scores.

It stayed pretty even, with both sides very much in an arm wrestle and not giving up an inch.

But after the drinks break on 20 minutes, brought in by the referee as a result of the sweltering conditions, league leaders Kells found another gear.

They ran in five tries before half time to really take a stranglehold of proceedings.

Pilks knew they had to hit back on the second half, and they did. Ben O’Connell put in a little grubber kick and Jones got there first to score. Connick's conversion hit the crossbar.

Kells would run in two more tries to keep Pilks at arms length, but the hosts did come up with two tries of their own.

Firstly, a nice team move saw Caine go over out on the wing. Connick missed the conversion.

Then with the final play of the game, Ben O’Connell picked up and managed to get over under the posts. Connick kicked the conversion and the referee blew for full time.

Pilks now have a week off before travelling to Egremont Rangers.