GARY MONAGHAN ripped through the Northwich defence to earn LEIGH RU a convincing 36-8 win at Northwich.

They took some 20 minutes to settle down. But once they did, against a strong and powerful home pack, there was only one winner.

Steve McKenna gave Leigh the lead with a penalty before prop Mark Callan began the try rush with a fine touchdown, goaled by Monaghan.

The slick centre then blasted through for the first of his try treble.

He completed the hat-trick soon after the break, McKenna converting one to leave Northwich well and truly beaten.

They did battle back with a try, but the best score of the match went to Andrew Westwell from a blistering passing movement, McKenna adding the conversion.

Great stuff from wing forward Tim Westwell with skipper Chris Whittle always prominent.

Leigh 3rd beat Northwich 26-13 with tries by Pearce (an 80-metre solo), Bullough 2 and Kenwright.

CULCHETH EAGLES turned on the style to blast Burtonwood 51-7, a powerful pack show laying the foundations for victory.

Hat-tricks from Devlin and Rennett plus singles for McLeod, Parr and Tony Welsby.

LOSTOCK lost 39-16 to TYLDESLEY 2nds, Andy Partington's penalties keeping them in touch in the early stages.

Ian Charnock's boot kept Lostock 2nds in the picture at Tyldesley 3rds, who eventually ran amok at 82-3.

Tyldesley 4ths scored a tight 5-3 win at Sedgeley Park.

The firsts were in generous mood as they handed Keswick a 23-10 win at Well Street.

Tyldesley's pack, particularly Craig Shotton and Lee West, gave the backs ample opportunities early on. But they came to nought as the Cumbrians marched in 15-3 at the break, Tim Brown banging over a penalty.

But the home side then got it together with Andy Broad, Fraser Mackintosh and Brown setting up position for Mark Swanton to dive in, Brown converting.

Everything to play for at 15-10.

But further mistakes allowed Keswick to retake the initiative - and they kept it!

Tyldesley U12s beat Ashton-on-Mersey 73-0, John Bleasdale playing his best-ever game to score two fine tries.

Also on the try list: Matthew Barton 2, Paul Jones 3, Alex Caine 2, Iain Greig and Lee Miccoli (his first for the club).

The future looks bright!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.