WOOLSTON Rovers A returned to action with a hard-fought 30-26 victory over West Bank Bears A in an exciting North West Men's League Entry Division game at Monk Sports Club on Saturday.

Rovers opened the tit-for-tat scoring in the 10th minute when good work by man-of-the-match stand-off Ryan Brown down the right led to him slipping a pass to centre Dan Fearnley who went over.

Brown converted but three minutes later West Bank replied when they pounced on a loose ball and substitute William Bloomfield scored. Stand-off Luke Mullarkey added the conversion.

Just before the midway point of the half Rovers were back in front when a long pass from Brown found full-back Ben Roberts linking into the line to score, with Brown converting.

Five minutes later Bears scrum-half Morgan Kelly went over for a converted try.

On the half hour Rovers loose-forward Harry Files forced his way over for a try, with Brown again adding the two points, but again Bears hit back almost immediately as substitute Luka Jones crossed for Mullarkey to improve with the successful shot at goal.

Rovers went over for their fourth try when a long ball was collected by winger Declan Braddish, who scored in the left corner.

Brown converted superbly but then in the closing two minutes of the half Rovers had Roberts sin-binned for punching and then right on the stroke of half time substitute Tom Harvey was yellow carded for holding down, but the home side went in with a 24-18 advantage.

Despite being down to 11 men Rovers scored seven minutes into the second half when Files put substitute Craig Lawton over. Brown converted but just after the hour Bears full-back Kieran Owen scored wide out.

Nine minutes from time Bears substitute Luke Argent scored to set up a nervy finish but Rovers calmly saw the game out.

Rovers player/coach Craig Woolvine said: “We were a little disjointed at times, which was understandable due to not playing for a few weeks, but overall we were good value for the win against good opponents.

"Hopefully, we can get another few games in before the end of the season and start to build some momentum going into next year.”

Rovers A: Ben Roberts; Tom Hailey, Dan Fearnley, Nathan Maguire, Declan Braddish; Ryan Brown, Rhys Brindley; Mitchell Clynes, Andy Brindley, Andy Addison, Tom Fagan, Oskar Jedrzejewski, Harry Files. Subs: Tom Atherton, Tom Harvey, Billy Maunder, Craig Lawton, Jack Wareing, Ben Harrison.