PENDLE Phoenix claimed local bragging rights with victory over Colne and Nelson to move up to fourth place in North Lancs Two.

Phoenix were looking to maintain their recent good form and they did just that as tries in each half from Carl Wiseman and Tarquinn Hempstead and some impeccable kicking from Rob Lawless sealed victory at Hodge House.

The home side were eager to put some early pressure on the Colne pack but it didn’t happen and it took Phoenix 10 minutes to settle into the game.

But once the front row of Nick Martin, James Finucane and Dave King started to compete at the scrummage area, Pendle were given momentum in attack – even winning a few scrums against the head.

The first score of the game came when hard tackling from Jonny Harper and Daniel Owen resulted in a knock on from the Colne backs.

Wiseman reacted first to the loose ball to sprint away to score and Lawless calmly slotted over the conversion to make it 7-0.

But Colne hit back immediately and straight from the restart they were awarded a penalty which was successfully kicked to make it 7-3.

Pendle replied with some excellent driving runs from Lawless and Sonny Waddington and Colne’s defence finally cracked as they gave away two penalties.

Pendle opted to kick at goal on both occasions and Lawless made no mistake to make it 13-3 at the break.

The first score of the second half was always going to be crucial and eventually it was Pendle who made the breakthrough.

Dave Morris won turnover ball to allow Daniel Rowland to drive the Pendle forwards into the Colne half.

And when they managed to get quick ball at the ruck, Rowland hit a flat ball to Ben Peverley, who in tturn found Tarquinn Hempstead with a ‘pop pass’ – he then threw an outrageous dummy to score.

Lawless, for once, was off target and Colne mounted a mini fight back and two penalty kicks cut the gap to 18-9.

But Lawless had the last word with another penalty to take his personal haul to 11 points.