the fight for promotion

GOLBORNE Parkside amateur rugby league team's strength in depth will be put to the severest test as their promotion hopes come to a head this week.

Third-placed Golborne visit second-placed Milnrow in North West Counties Division Three on Saturday in the midst of an injury crisis and with a further seven players away in Spain.

They will be calling on the pool of players in their youth system and may have to again the following week for the return clash with Milnrow.

At the weekend, Golborne faced a tough away fixture against Clock Face with the knowledge that a defeat would seriously harm their promotion aims.

Not for the first time this season the young team gave away pounds in the physical attributes, but secured an impressive 22-0 success.

Golborne opened the game with an outstanding team try scored by Stuart Arkwright and goaled by Andy Simms.

Clock Face showed that they were not going to give up the game easily and took the game to Golborne. For the next 15 minutes they put Golborne under the cosh but despite all of their pressure they could find no way through the league's best defensive outfit.

More silky skills saw Golborne extend their lead to 10-0 after 20 minutes with a brilliant try from man of the match Craig Timmins.

Golborne started the second half as they began the first and increased their lead to 16-0 after 10 minutes with a classy try from centre Keith Tickle, goaled by Simms.

Full-back Ryan Kelly went over for a unconverted try to extend the lead to 20-0.

With 10 minutes remaining a Simms' penalty goal completed the scoring.