Blackburn 37 St Benedicts 15

THREE first half tries and Sam Morgan’s trusty shooting boots kept Blackburn firmly in the hunt for a play-off place.

Blackburn did most of the damage before half-time as ‘Burn raced into a handsome 30-3 lead against the visitors, who occupy a top six standing.

St Benedicts actually got off the mark first, via a penalty in the sixth minute.

After that, though, it was one-way traffic as Blackburn forged ahead with two Sam Morgan penalties inside nine minutes.

Morgan fired over his third kick in the 27th minute and shortly afterwards Blackburn went over for their first try.

Mark Briggs broke through, and although he was halted short of the try line, from the ruck Lee Acton went low to crash over the line.

Morgan converted again to edge the score out to 16-3.

It was all out attack now and ‘Burn went over again a minute later. Jack Campbell drove through the defence with a barnstorming run, and Matt Hughes provided the ammunition for Jordan Pearson, who had a clear run from just outside the 22 to score. Sam Morgan again successfully converted.

Then, on the stroke of half time, Marc Maher scored under the posts following a devastating charge, with Morgan again converting to put Blackburn in complete charge.

Both sides were reduced to 14 men after the break, with Blackburn’s Mark Briggs and St Benedicts number 14 both sin binned for a scuffle.

St Benedicts bagged their first try of the game in the 52nd minute, and although the conversion was missed, it was to prove the visitors most productive spell of the contest.

Further pressure produced Bennies second try, with the conversion cutting Blackburn’s lead to 15 points.

St Benedicts turned up the heat further and when Jordan Pearson was sin binned on the hour, it was all hands to the pump.

However, Blackburn sec-ured a bonus point and ended any hopes of an unlikely comeback with their fourth try of the match and Maher’s second touchdown.

Rob Melling’s arcing run was stopped five metres out, but Mark Briggs took it on and Maher stepped through the gap to score again.

Morgan again kicked the conversion, meaning he could boast a perfect kicking record in the contest.

Although Blackburn have no game this weekend, it could prove a significant one in the play-off race with second placed Eccles, who have the same points total as ‘Burn, away to Fleetwood.

Blackburn return to action at Upper Eden on March 22.