Pendle Phoenix triumph over Colne and Nelson (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Pendle Phoenix triumph over Colne and Nelson

5:45pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport

PENDLE Phoenix continue to have a stranglehold on their local rivals after running out 20-5 winners.

Pendle started the game in determined fashion and were hoping for a fast start but Colne had other ideas.

Ben Peverley was sin binned early in the first half Pendle were forced to work even harder to attack the Colne line but they took a 3-0 lead thanks to a James Redford penalty.

With early nerves calmed nerves Pendle began to attack with greater conviction.

With Pendle now competing well at the breakdown they were able to penetrate the Colne defence. Andy Dutton attacked the gain line and popped a pass to Rob Lawless, who broke through two defenders and raced away to the line to score on the right hand side. James Redford added the extras and Pendle lead 10-0.

However Colne were able to take advantage of Pendle falling asleep at the scrum to score in the corner and reduce the arrears to 10-5.

But Pendle extended their lead following turnover ball andJay Asghar drew two players out of the defence and popped the ball to a supporting Nick Martin who raced in to scored.

Phoenix now had the bit between their teeth and started attacking at every opportunity. Even Liam Canning being sent to the sin bin wasn’t enough to deter Pendle. Tarquinn Hempstead deftly broke through the Colne defence only to be prevented from scoring by a Colne player’s foul play.

Pendle continued their attack and when Liam Caning returned to the field it wasn’t long before Phoenix were celebrating yet another try- excellent attacking play from Tarquinn Hempstead, Shaye McCullough and Daniel Rowland found Captain James Finucane in space to score the final points of the game.