Queensbury 24, King Cross Park 12

QUEENSBURY second-row forward Jack Evison played an absolute blinder in his side's Pennine League triumph against King Cross Park at Deanstones Lane.

Bury's defence had to work overtime in the opening exchanges of the Championship Division match against the well-drilled visitors, who are coached by Bulls hooker Adam O'Brien.

Yet when they did finally establish a platform in their 20-metre zone, they fell behind to a sucker-punch.

Queensbury scrum half Jonny Norman decided to try a kick to the corner, with men on his outside queuing for a pass, which allowed Park centre Lewis Tidswell to finish off a sweeping move under the uprights, stand-off Gordon Syme adding the easy extras.

The Halifax side were reduced in numbers when packman Tom Metcalfe collected a yellow card for punching and Bury capitalised when Evison stormed onto the ball at an angle to leave the defence in tatters en route to the whitewash.

Wingman Scott Swann slotted over the conversion and was bang on target once more when a clever run-around between Evison and Joe Flanagan saw the loose forward collect the return and cross the line.

Bury, who were 12-6 up on the restart, struck another key blow when hooker Jonjo Naylor spotted a gap at the ruck to burrow under the sticks.

Swann once more obliged with the boot, before a desperate try-preventing trip from visiting centre Luke Hand saw Kings receive another yellow card.

A classy move down the flank from second-rower Andy Walker on the hour mark prised open a gap for centre Alex Destouche to offload to the supporting Swann, who sprinted over in the corner and then added a towering touchline conversion for a match-winning 24-6 advantage.

The stubborn King Cross pack were far from done and it came as no surprise when they set up the chance for full back Callum Dunn to bust a tackle and race 60 metres to the sticks.

The last ten minutes of the game was then a virtual stalemate, with brawn and gristle the order of the day.

Prop Steve Nagy and substitute forward Sam Cheney put in the hard yards to make sure Queensbury netted a hard-fought fourth cup and league win on the trot.