West Park St Helens 28, Bradford & Bingley 51

This nine-try rout yesterday means that National League Three North rugby is guaranteed for next season at Wagon Lane, while the drop into North One looks a certainty for West Park St Helens.

After an hour, the scores stood at 36-28 and with the wind at the backs of the home side there was a possibility that Bradford & Bingley might come unstuck, as they have done several times this season.

But their collective nerve held, and tries from Richard Hughes, Dave Moore and Benny Greaves in the final ten minutes meant the scoreline reflected the gulf between the sides.

The Bees' recent good form has been ancored by the foreboding presence of Patrick Pole in the engine room, and again it was his presence which meant the Bees always seemed to break the gain line.

However, it was far from a one-man show as Hughes - his partner in the second row - was also in sparkling form, popping up all over the field with the ball under his arm and also contributing effectively in defence.

In the back row, Jarryd Warren was also a tireless contributor, and debutant Daniel Cookson gave a man of the match-style performance in the No 6 shirt.

The Bees were expertly marshalled throughout by fly half Steve Brimacombe, and his ability to make a break on his own gave the Bees backline an additional attacking weapon.

The home side had the upper hand in the early exchanges and took a 14-5 lead in the first quarter of an hour.

An uncharacteristic missed tackle by Richard Tafa let the hosts in for the second of those scores.

However, just as the first quarter came to an end, Tafa made amends for his earlier mistake and crashed over from a tapped penalty.

The Bees forwards were beginning to get the upper hand and several rolling mauls put Park on the back foot, but it took nearly 20 minutes for that pressure to be turned into points as James Whitfield was driven over in the corner.

Straight from the ensuing kick-off, the lead was improved to 24-14 as Warren caught the kick off and returned it 60 metres.

After half-time, it was very much business as usual as Pole galloped over almost as soon as the game restarted.

With Benny Greaves joining him on the scoresheet on 47 minutes following a charged-down kick, the Bees looked to be coasting to victory at 36-14.

However, they know how to get their supporters' nerves jangling and allowed the home side in for two scores.

But enough men in red, amber and black held their nerve.

5:43pm Sunday 6th April 2008

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