ACCRINGTON and Leyland Lions have roared in to the quarter finals of the national play-offs after a fine victory over Liverpool Buccaneers.

The Lions ran out 38-22 victors at Golborne Parkside to win the North West Grand final.

It was a fine achievement from Lions – made up of players from Lancashire Service Area sides Accrington Panthers and Leyland Warriors – as they beat more established teams from the Rugby League heartland.

The Lions started well, controlling the game early on, and were rewarded when hooker Russ MacFarlane crashed over from close range, with Mark Quinn converting to give then an early lead 6-0.

The lead was increased when after fine work from Scott Low and Tom Lever, back rower Ashley O’Rourke broke the line to score the Lions second try, Quinn converted to make it 12-0.

This seemed to spark the Buccaneers into life, for the next 20 minutes they dominated field position and the Lions defence looked out of sorts.

They evened up the scores with two tries and then took the lead 18-12 just before half time.

One last final assault on the Buccaneers line before the break for the Lions resulted in Tom Lever scoring and Quinn levelling the scores at 18 all with everything to play for in the second half.

But the Lions dominated after the restart and totally dominated proceedings.

Karl Edgar, O’Rourke, Simon Dempsey, Pete Heatley, Josh Halstead and Lever were making good yards, on the back of that the half backs Mark Quinn and Scott Low Were stretching Buccaneers defence.

And it was no surprise when loose forward Lever broke the line and ran 30m to score under the posts, Quinn added the extras to put the Lions in front again 24-18 And that lead was extended when Leon Fifield scored in the corner after good work by Tom Worrall and Low.

The Lions were now in full control and further tries were scored from great open running Rugby League with Worrall and Halstead both going over before Liverpool scored a late consolation.

The Lions will now play Bristol Sonics at Aston Old Edwardians ground in Birmingham on Sunday, August 21 for a place in the semi finals.