Royton Tigers u14 22 Hornets16

HALTON Hornets got off to a steady start with a penalty under the posts from Danny Baker.

From the restart Hornets made a mistake on the second tackle and Royton made them pay with a try, the extras were added by Tigers number seven. Tigers half-backs then combined and the stand-off scored wide out, scrum-half converting.

Hornets' Michael Bowles charged through the Royton defence. From the next play-the-ball Ryan Jones, Hornets full-back, beat two defenders and took two more over the line to put Hornets back in range with Baker also adding this conversion.

Two minutes later Royton were penalised for offside and Baker kicked the goal making it 12-10.

Just when Hornets thought they were in control Royton made Hornets pay for some terrible tackling and score in the left corner.

After the break the Tigers left-centre crashed through some weak tackling to score next to the post and the Royton scrum-half kicking the goal.

Michael Bowles Hornets forward virtually taking the Tigers forwards on single-handed kept his side in contention with some fantastic running. Ian Wilkinson, Hornets loose-forward, scored a solo try with two minutes left and Danny Baker added the goal but it was too late for Hornets.

Hornets u15 34 Waterhead u15 10

HORNETS got off to a flying start with three tries in the first 10 minutes. Stand-off Jamie Durbin who ghosted in straight from a scrum and Ste Rowland's converting in the opening minute. Good handling sent Mark Bevan over in the corner, and when Rowlands went over in the same position Hornets were 14-0 up.

Waterhead then scored wide out on the last tackle to peg the score back to 14-4.

Hornets came back with a magnificent try finished off superbly by Rowlands. Liam McGovern converting. Then McGovern scored a smart try bursting through from halfway, kicking ahead and winning the chase to dive under the posts with Rowland's conversion making the half-time score 26-4.

The opening minute of the second-half saw more slack play from Hornets presenting Waterhead with a converted try.

Hornets prop Sean Loftus then stormed over in the corner for another unconverted try. Hornets had the last word with McGovern scoring a dazzling solo try to finish the scoring at 34-10. A good team effort with David Allen outstanding.

HH Moorfield u12 6 Leigh Miners 18

HORNETS got off to a good start with another try from McDonnell from the scrum and a conversion from Cookson. Leigh hit back just before half-time to make it six across with Leigh having the slope and wind behind them and Hornets spilling a lot of ball. Leigh moved the ball out wide and their centres scored three more tries.

Hornets u10 16 Pilks Rec u10 32

THE SCORE did not reflect the effort shown by the Hornets against a very strong side.

Scoring only three tries (Eccleston, Myler, Jones) and converting two, Hornets found the Pilks defence almost impenetrable.Mom was justly rewarded to Jonathon Kelly. Chris Headen received top tackler. Most effort went to Jon Hetherington and the coaches award was given to ever-improving Stephen Connor.

Mayfield u8 6 Halton Hornets u8 7

A SPIRITED inexperienced Mayfield side showed great character despite the scoreline.

Excellent displays from Jonathon Mullarkey, Ryan Soens and Antony Knight deservedly earned them the mom, top tackler and coaches awards.

Scorers were Gareth O'Brien (3t), Antony Knight (3t, 1g), Liame Hulme (2t, 1g), Ken Gilhooley (2t), Matthew Hyland (1t, 3g), Ryan Soens (1t, 1g) Joe Turner (1t, 1g) Jonathon Mullarkey (1t).

Hornets have now recorded four wins and one loss having earlier beaten Leigh East in a friendly 50-28 with league wins coming against Golborne 46-22 and Orrell St James 28-16. The one defeat was a friendly against Haydock 6-24.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.