Hindley 14

Widnes Albion Bulls 22

WIDNES ALBION progressed through to the fourth round of the National Cup with an excellent win at Division Two high-fliers Hindley.

With neither side giving much away early on, the first score was a penalty to Hindley, but the Albion hit back shortly afterwards when Paul Davies scored after breaking through a couple of tackles, Lee Birdseye landing the extras.

Birdseye broke the deadlock when he landed a penalty five minutes before half-time. Then, right on the interval, he snapped up a loose ball put down by Hindley to race 75 yards to the line and an interval lead of 12-6.

After the break Albion scored again when prop-forward, Alan Prendergast, rounded off a good bout of passing to cross wide out. Then the home side scored a converted try and a penalty to reduce their arrears to two points.

With time ebbing away Hindley threw everything into attack but excellent defence kept them at bay.

Then, Gary Richardson landed a drop-goal to open up a seven point gap and repeated it in the final minute to gain an excellent win and an eagerly awaited game in the next round against National League Premier side, Lock Lane who they play at home on February 21.

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