10:21am Thursday 6th May 2010
Pilkington Recs 6 Simms Cross 20.
A GREAT defensive performance from a leg-weary Simmies side was enough to topple title rivals Recs on their own midden.
It had been billed as a winner takes all encounter with Recs having won the game in Widnes earlier in the season.
Simmies, missing several key players, defended like true champions and the City Roaders could have few complaints after failing to take a grip on the game.
The visitors, directed by the excellent scrum half Ryan Millington, snatched the lead early on when a grubber kick deflected off a Recs defender and into the open arms of prop Mike Randell.
Millington converted before Recs, who enjoyed plenty of possession, struck back when hooker Tom Connick sent Richard Rafferty crashing over from close range.
Ste Rawsthorne goaled to square the match but Simmies Kris Kavanagh managed to sneak over the line from acting half back as Recs were caught napping.
Midway through the second half Simmies were reduced to 12 when centre Craig Millington was sin binned – but they managed to hold out for that spell.
Simmies could have stretched their lead but the ball went to ground after Ryan Millington had created a golden opportunity.
Leading by six but with the infamous slope against them for the second half, Simmies had it all to do, but the champions’ rearguard action was remarkable.
Their smothering defence seemed to breed an anxiety among the Pilks attackers and that only intensified when Randell went over again from close range.
Recs put the ball down or their attacks broke down while Simmies playmaker Millington extended his side’s lead with two sharply taken drop goals.
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