Eccles & Salford Juniors 24 Widnes West Bank 40 (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Eccles & Salford Juniors 24 Widnes West Bank 40

11:32pm Monday 5th September 2011 in Sport

WEST Bank travelled to Eccles knowing that a win would leave them top of their NCL interim league group.

The Bears started at a terrific pace and blew Eccles away with their well drilled and enterprising play whilst racing into a 28-0 lead after half an hour.

Paul Curphey and Sean Gilmore’s strong running took the attack forward and Evan Simons stretched over from short range for the opening score. Ste Mellor knocked over the first of six conversions.

The next score came via a thrilling Simons break from half way which sent the supporting Chris Walsh under the sticks.

Strong running down the left saw the ball moved wide and a superb pass from Gilmore put Ste Curphey in the clear for a well worked try.

Jordan Barr beat his opposite number deep in his own half to run clear. As the defence closed in, his inside ball was eventually promoted to Craig Millington for a brilliant touchdown.

The Bears’ trademark set piece saw Gilmore provide the final pass for Josh Simm to touch down.

The game looked to be in West Bank’s control but the introduction of Adam Taher spurred the Roosters on and two quick tries from Andrew Muscat and Taher, both converted by Mike Carney, left the score at 28-12 at half time.

West Bank reasserted their authority when Tommy Arrowsmith worked a blind-side second man move to put Ste Mellor into space and a skilful side step from Mellor took him clear.

Martin Judge and Richard Openshaw took advantage of a plethora of possession to narrow the gap to 34-24 but it was West Bank who had the final say when from the play the ball Millington dummied to the open side and then passed between his legs for an audacious score to Ste Curphey.

The electrifying Simon was adjudged to be man of the match.