Blackburn U24s 19
Burnley U24s 24

BURNLEY gained revenge over local rivals Blackburn at Ramsgreave Drive in the third Under 24s challenge match.

With the first match drawn and Blackburn winning last time out, Burnley were in determined mood to level the scores.

The contest was held for players returning to the area during the Easter break or those looking to have a run-out for their respective clubs for the first time.

And it was one playing sporting the Burnley colours for only the second time who had a big say on proceedings as Craig Wiseman scored a decisive brace of tries.

Wiseman, who played for Pendle Phoenix in the season just finished, touched down in each half as Burnley outscored their hosts four tries to three.

Club captain Luca Angelone was first to cross the line, driving his way over the line for an early score.

Some neat inter changing of passing then saw Adam Spencer feed a charging Wiseman who burst over to score.

Blackburn got a foothold in the game, Zac Child orchestrating their first try of the match with the conversion added.

The hosts then took the lead early in the second half when Alexander Evans breached the Burnley defence to make it 12-10 to Blackburn.

Burnley needed to regroup and made a few tactical changes – Carl joining his brother Craig in the visitors’ back division.

The Holden Road side began to reassert themselves on the game and after they were held up short of the line, a strong carry and offload from Tom Cooley to Wiseman whose angled run saw him crash over for his second try.

Spencer converted to make it 17-12.

Burnley’s backs and forwards were now working well together and Jack Wilkinson and James Henderson were making inroads in to the home defence. A fourth try soon arrived when Marcus Farnworth, controlling things at 10, linked with his centres before full back Will Farnworth broke down the outside drawing the last defended and passed inside for Shaye McCullough to score under the posts. Spencer was again successful with the kick.

Blackburn scored the last try of the game, Sean Hall going over for a converted try but it was too late and Burnley claimed the win.