AFTER two successive defeats, Chorley Lynx returned to winning ways with a 10 try romp against struggling Gateshead Thunder.

Despite the scoreline Lynx still showed lapses of concentration with gifted Thunder with at least three of their tries which kept them in the game up to the hour mark.

Gateshead started the game in a positive manner, pinning Lynx back on the defensive and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the seventh minute with a try from Damian Reed which was converted by Neil Thorman.

This served as a wake-up call for Lynx and they then began to control the game and were rewarded with a try from John Braddish in the 12th minute converted by Mark McCully.

Lynx continued to control the game and were head in the 18th minute with a fine try from Martin Gambles after breaks by Ian Hodson and Mick Redford, McCully adding his second conversion.

Gateshead were struggling to contain the likes of Dave Whittle and it was no surprise when further tries followed in the 26th minute and on the half hour for Eddie Kilgannon and Martin Gambles with McCully adding a conversion to give Lynx a comfortable 16 point advantage.

However, Thunder proved they were still a danger in the 36th minute when a long kick downfield almost brought a try but Mark McCully brought off a fine try saving tackle. On the stroke of half time they reduced the arrears when slack play by Lynx allowed David Bates to touch down and with the conversion from Neil Thorman, Lynx went in with a 22-12 half time advantage.

This deficit was reduced even further straight from the kick off when Lynx spilled the ball and Damian Reed picked up the loose ball to touch down. Lynx found themselves under increasing pressure and Clint Brown knocked on when tackled over the Lynx try line.

After this let off Lynx hit back strongly and increased their lead when John Braddish skipped through some feeble tackling to touch down, Mark McCully adding the conversion.

Gateshead still refused to lie down and hit back again in the 53rd minute with a try from Michael Lyons after good work from Kevin Neighbour. Gateshead had another chance to keep in touch almost immediately, but Olu Iwenofu put a foot in touch as he went for the try line.

This was almost the last chance for Thunder as Lynx found their touch again with four tries in 14 minutes from Gavin Johnson, Anton Garcia, Eddie Kilgannon and Sarfraz Patel with Mark McCully adding three more conversions to put Lynx past the 50 points mark.

Lynx were then reduced to 12 men in the 75th minute when Mick Redford found his way into the sin-bin after a running battle with his opposite number Scott McDougall and from the resulting penalty, Gateshead got some consolation with a try from Olu Iwenofu. Lynx had the last word on the final hooter with a try from Martin Gambles who completed his hat trick to give Lynx a comprehensive victory.

CHORLEY LYNX 54 GATESHEAD THUNDER 24