GOLBORNE Parkside amateur rugby league team face the sternest of tests on Saturday after opening the season in sensational style.

They travel to play title- favourites Widnes Ball after a superb opening-day defeat of Shevington Sharks in North West Counties Division Two.

Golborne and Shevington were both promoted from Division Three last season, when their league encounters both ended in one-point wins for the Sharks.

But at the weekend Golborne's youngest open age team in history sunk Shevington 23-17 thanks to a late rally.

With eight minutes remaining Shevington looked to have the game in the bag when a good try increased their lead to 17-12.

But Golborne responded and with five minutes to go they took the lead for the first time with a great try from last year's under 18s player Paul Johnson and a touchline conversion by another of last season's under 18s Mark Pilling.

Nineteen-year-old scrum half Tommy Smith coolly dropped a goal to push Golborne two points clear.

Then Pilling hit the crossbar from half way when Shevington tried a short kick-off that did not go 10 yards.

Golborne sealed a memorable victory with a last-minute try from Tony Blyth.

The man of the match was Anthony Irvin, followed by Chris Woods and Gareth Dickinson.

Golborne Parkside's second team almost produced the shock of the day before going down 30-26 away to a Bank Quay Bulls team containing several first-team players.

New second-team coach Mark Simons, who is an ex-Canadian international player, was more than pleased with his new charges.

On Saturday the A team are at home to Rylands, kick-off 2.30pm.

Golborne's under 18s started their new league campaign with an 18-0 victory over Oldham St Annes.