BLACKBURN Rugby Union team travelled to Wilmslow for their first league match after Christmas and produced a performance of great character and resilience to come away with a point.

Blackburn, still missing several key forwards, played against the wind in the first half.

After eight minutes the home side offered the visitors their first points when a back move broke down and the ever-alert Andy Graham picked up and ran threequarters of the length of the field before putting fly half Rob Smith into the score, well converted by Nick Westhead to make it 7-0.

From this point on the game entered a pattern with Blackburn holding the advantage in the set pieces due to the athleticism of Martin Smith in the line out and in the fight through the efforts of the front five. Wilmslow however controlled the loose ball and looked far steadier around the fringes due to the work of ex-Nottingham player Peter Cook at number eight and Chris Campbell at scrum half.

This pressure and a failure to find touch meant incessant Wilmslow pressure brought a try for Chris Campbell, well converted by Nick Archer to make it 7-7 at half time.

The second half brought Blackburn into the game with the wind behind them and a Smith break allowed the powerful Andy Archer to power through tackles to score followed shortly after by a Smith penalty to make it 15-7 to Blackburn with 15 minutes to go. As Blackburn tired, so Wilmslow won more ball and only heroic tackling kept them out, especially one tackle from blindside Shaid Khan. Eventually though, pressure told and a well-worked back row move brought a try by winger Hackney and a penalty two minutes from time made it 15-15.

With leaders Lymm losing at Carlisle, Blackburn closed the gap to a point and entertain Carlisle at home on Saturday (kick off 2.30pm), to try and close the gap even further.

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