TYLDESLEY 17 BLACKPOOL 15

TYLDESLEY maintained their unbeaten start to the league season with a tight 17-15 win over Blackpool at St.George's Park.

Playing for the first time on their new pitch Tyldesley started to pin the visitors back with some astute kicking from debutant fly-half Mark Dickinson. The Tyldesley pack where driving the ball in with much success and just on the Blackpool 22 a drive from Craig Pulman was stopped illegally and Eddie Wallbank landed the resulting penalty with ease.

Tyldesley continued to apply all the pressure and quick ball from Dickinson was spun wide to the speedy left wing Gary Corbett who out paced the defensive line to score the first try on St.George's Park.

Blackpool replied swiftly with a converted try but the ten point lead was quickly restored when Corbett again turned on the afterburners to scorch in for his second try, converted yet again by Wallbank for 17-7 lead at half time for Tyldesley.

The second half saw Blackpool in the ascendancy and several injuries hampered Tyldesley's defensive plans with forwards Darren Edge and Richard Callow leaving the field, the latter with a suspected broken shoulder bone.

Blackpool kicked an early penalty to put them within seven points of drawing the game. With several minutes of injury time played Blackpool finally broke through the Tyldesley line to score a try to the right of posts. With the kick to come the large crowd held their breath, as the kick sailed towards the posts, one touch judge raised his flag while the other kept his down but the referee was right on the spot and confirmed the ball had gone wide. The final whistle was immediate and Tyldesley had held on for a well deserved win.

Tyldesley Knights also faced Blackpool in a league game and enjoyed their visit to the seaside with a comprehensive 58-0 win.

Tyldesley Dragons entertained neighbours Atherton in a good game played in the right spirit and won by the visitors 38-24. Tyldesley's tries came from John Fetherston, Peter Mannion and stalwart forward Eddie Griffiths.

Tyldesley Under 17s put visitors Ormskirk to sword with a easy 52-7 victory and the highlight was a hat-trick from Centre Mark Jones. Four of the Under 17s also played for Lancashire against the North Midlands with Forwards Lee Davies and Andrew Oakden joined by backs Paul Martin and Ashley Worsfold, all four will be playing next Sunday when Lancashire take on Staffordshire at Lichfield.