Halton Simms Cross 4

Widnes St Maries 9

2005 Finnforest Cup Final

CLOSE rivals St Maries overcame premier division champions Simmies in a tight final at the Halton Stadium.

In front of a crowd of 1237, the game was a credit to both sides that showed their top quality skills and commitment to amateur sport.

The game was refereed by one of the Widnes Referees Society's younger members Adam Gill who had a superb game in his first open age fin1al.

Simmies went in front after 10 minutes with a penalty goal from standoff Brian Capewell after a high tackle.

Soon after Simmies full back Danny Ruth was sin binned for tripping.

Just after his return, the Maries went ahead when quick passing at a scrum sent centre Danny Yates over wide out.

Standoff David Welch added a superb conversion.

Simmies narrowed the gap to two points by half time with a penalty goal from Brian Capewell.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Simmies were penalised for ball stealing and were made to pay for questioning the decision and conceding a further 10 yards when Maries David Welch kicked the resultant penalty.

At 8-4 up the Maries looked to be safe and good runs from Iwan Brown and Kieron Kavanagh were stopped.

From a penalty the Maries swept up field to seal the game with a drop goal from David Welch. This gave Maries the cup for the first time since 1999.

Tongan prop Siope Joe Polutele worked non-stop and became the first overseas winner of the man of the match award.

Simms Cross Widnes Albion 12

Semi Final

SIMMIES strolled into the final with a convincing victory over the Albion.

Simmies led by 26 points at half and never looked troubled despite a brief Albion comeback.

Simmies try scorers were Danny Ruth (2), Brian Capewell, Matty Carmichael, Paul Walsh, Neil Highfield, Mike Yearsley, Danny Durbin. Brian Capewell got a try and six goals. The Albion's points came from tries by Peter Williams and Gary Richardson and goals from Craig Yates and Luke Bryant.

Moorfield U14s 32

West Bank Bears U14s 0

ONLY a few weeks ago the Bears had pushed Moorfield to the limit and a close game looked likely.

However, the Bears struggled to hit form on the big stage and Moorfield ran out convincing winners. Moorfield tackled well and dominated from the start.