Hindley 18

A GOOD result in their first match in the North West Counties Division Two was settled by a late try from Tony Mahar after the Albion had trailed 18-6 early in the second-half.

Both sides took a bit to settle and Hindley took the lead when a kick through bounced kindly but five minutes later Paul Davies crashed over and Andy Friar added the extras to equalise.

Strong play by Stan Phiyacklea and Ste Donnelly kept the Albion going forward but a handling error gave the visitors the chance to take a 6-12 interval lead.

An early try by Hindley proved their last score as the Albion turned the game round in the final 30 minutes.

Good passing by the backs saw Chris Bibby finish strongly followed shortly after by John Ogburn with a typical show of power, Chris Fenlon narrowed the gap to two points with a conversion and the game was now there for the taking as Hindley seemed to tire in the later stages, relying on kicks ahead which were safely fielded by Geoff Jackson and Danny Doherty.

The decisive score came when Mahar spotted a gap and raced 50 yards for the match winning try in the corner to earn the Albion two hard-won points.

Eccles A 24

Widnes Albion Bulls 23

MAKING their North West Counties debut the Albion A team came away from Eccles with a narrow one point defeat.

Coach Tony Yates was more than satisfied with the effort put in which should have been enough to win the game but shaky defence let them down at times, though this is perhaps understandable for a new team.

Tries by Stuart Featherstone and Neil Bourke plus a conversion and drop-goal by Joey Morgan gave the visitors a 10-11 interval lead and strong forward play by Mike Elwell, Tony Knight and Eric Yasities paved the way for further tries by Mark Lynch and Sean McGahan with Morgan again adding the extras but the home side just managed to keep their noses in front until the final whistle.

Albion Bulls entertain Heysham Atoms at St Peter & Paul school, kick-off 2.30pm, while the A team visit Weaverham subject to any change by NWC.

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