Blackburn clung for a nail biting victory in the Blacksticks Blue under 15s Plate final against Ormskirk.

The Burn dominated the first half but only had a one point lead at the interval.

And the difference was the same at the final whistle with Blackburn playing the last 10 minutes with only 14 men.

Blackburn dominated the first half with a crunching tackle by James O’Ryan and a storming run by Cameron Deacon setting the standard.

A powerful run by Connor Johnson gave them the lead but after Ormskirk took the lead when a loose pass was intercepted and they raced clear to score under the sticks.

That was virtually the only time Ormskirk made it into Blackburn territory until after the interval when, with the wind at their backs, they became more threatening.

A Patrick Gaffey penalty shortly before the break was to prove crucial.

James O’Ryan went over to extend the lead following but following the dismissal of Connor Worden for a loose arm offence it was a rear guard action for the Burn.

Ormskirk crossed the line to close the gap to a point but Blackburn defended valiantly to hold on for victory.

Prop Harvey Banks, who put in a non-stop, power-packed performance, was named man-of-the-match and the team were presented with their medals by the president of the English RFU Bob Reeves.