Tarleton 23 Blackburn 24

BLACKBURN scored 24 second half points but survived a nervous final few minutes to edge home at Tarleton.

The home side were the better side in the first half and led 11-0 at the break.

Tarleton kicked two penalties to open up a 6-0 lead and with the visitors having two men sent to the sin bin the hosts were able to take advantage.

Matt Hughes was the first to be penalised and within minutes of his yellow card the hosts crossed for the opening try.

Mark Briggs followed Hughes into the bin but the visitors got to half time without further damage.

The second half was a completely different affair with the hosts losing a man to the bin and Blackburn getting on the scoresheet through Jordan Preston.

Sean Hall missed the conversion but on 50 minutes the away side scored again with Hughes making amends for his yellow card with a simple finish. Hall’s conversion gave Burn the lead.

Hall then added the third try and converted it to open up a 19-11 lead.

Burn’s fourth try came when Hughes showed strength and speed to score in the corner and the visitors had a seemingly decisive 24-11 lead.

However, the home side hit back and scored a converted try to close within six points.

Tarleton touched down again in the final minute but a missed conversion meant Burn survived to take the bonus-point victory.