Rylands 19 Haydock 6.

RYLANDS got their North West Counties Amateur Rugby League Premier Division campaign off to a flying start with a hard-earned win against Haydock.

The Gorsey Lane men sealed the game on 74 minutes when Peter Leonard knocked over a drop goal to give them an unassailable 13-6 advantage.

Carl Lloyd provided the icing on the cake in the final minute with a good try after some slick passing and Forster landed his third kick of the afternoon.

After a scrappy opening 20 minutes, Rylands opened the scoring with a try from Andy Pucill.

Haydock gained a foothold with a try after 30 minutes but Rylands stamped their authority on the game in the second half and a superb pass by Leonard put Paul Clayton through a hole in the Haydock defence to give Rylands a lead that they never lost.

Tosh Thurston, Jono Smith, Phil Stevens and Chris Forster all impressed for Rylands.