WOOLSTON secured the North West Counties Division Four title after victories against Eccles and Salford Juniors and main rivals Moss Bank Bulldogs.

Rovers only needed a point from Tuesday’s clash with Bulldogs following Saturday’s triumph but won 26-6 to finish the season in style.

Woolston Rovers 54 Eccles and Salford Juniors 1

WOOLSTON cruised to victory against Eccles and Salford Juniors.

They opened the scoring in the fourth minute when good work down the left by Chris Mellor saw winger Steve Lawley race over for a try that Mellor goaled.

Three minutes later, Chris Bennion put centre John Welch over wide on the right before a move from the base of a scrum saw Lawley score again.

Mellor added the conversion and then Maunder raced 40 metres to score in the right corner to increase the lead.

On the half-hour, centre Paul Berry intercepted an Eccles pass and raced 80 metres to score and Lawley completed his hat-trick six minutes before the break to establish a 30-0 interval advantage.

Rovers went further ahead six minutes into the second half when Mellor brushed off three defenders to score wide on the right, John Welch landing the conversion.

The Woolston surge continued when a 40-metre break by substitute Steve Arnold allowed Paul Wilson to score between the posts.

Then, after the visitors had stand off Bradley Lonsdale sin-binned for dissent, quick hands from the resultant penalty saw Arnold go over. Welch added both conversions.

Rovers brought up the half century when substitute Mike Leicester used his immense strength and power to score, Welch converting.

Eccles avoided a whitewash with the final kick of the game when Marc Jones landed a drop goal.

Man of the match was awarded to Rovers loose forward Chris Mellor.

Rovers: Paul Wilson, Martin Corker, Paul Berry, John Welch, Steve Lawley, Ian Stephenson, Billy Maunder, Simon Weston, Mike Briggs, Chris Bennion, Mark Wareing, Rob Hayes, Chris Mellor. Subs: Mike Leicester, Steve Arnold, Steve Dowson, Gareth Claffey.