West Bank 12 Simms Cross...22

SIMMS CROSS gained their first win of the season with a deserved victory over their newly-promoted rivals.

Simmies took the lead after only 10 minutes when winger Andy Parle caught a Bank kick 40 yards out and burst through some weak tackling to score under the posts.

Two minutes later, second row Carl Ogburn sent stand-off Timmy Parle over in the corner to increase Simmies' lead.

The Bank came back well and centre Ian Connor made a good break to put loose-forward Ray Attwood over.

Props Mark Knight and Peter Grady worked hard in defence and backs Kieron Kavanagh and David Lloyd were always dangerous as Simmies dominated.

The Bank came more into the game with John Buckley, Steven King and Carl Roberts prominent.

Just before half-time, a set move at a scrum foxed Simmies and Ray Attwood waltzed over to narrow the gap to only two points at half-time.

The Bank rarely threatened early in the second-half, losing the ball regularly and making too many basic errors.

Simmies scrum-half David Lloyd increased their lead with a well-taken try.

A close range try from hooker Mike Palmer and two Andrew O'Brian conversions added to the lead.

In the final quarter the Bank looked more dangerous with substitutes Dave Beswick, Charlie Jones and Gareth Hughes to the fore.

Second-row Chris Nuttie, centre Ian Connor and winger Dave Myler all went close.

A late try from Bank winger Duncan Curphey set up by centre Tony Fillingham completed the scoring.

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