Heaton Moor 27 Burnley 18

6:20pm Tuesday 18th March 2008

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BURNLEY'S run in the Lancashire Plate is over after losing to rivals Heaton Moor in the quarter finals.

In an entertaining game, Burnley never recovered from two breakaway tries from the home side's outside half - despite crossing for two tries themselves.

Flanker Laurie Smith followed up his five-try salvo against Blackpool last week with another try.

And prolific prop, Chris Ingham, also crashed over.

Richard Griffiths slotted over one conversion and kicked two penalties.

Chairman Phil Harbour said: "It was a very good game and we really gave it a go but their outside was a bit special and his two tries made all the difference. Both of them were breakaways and we never really recovered."

Despite defeat, Harbour said Burnley are capable of beating the North Lancs One leaders when they come to Holden Road in two weeks time.

"We fancy our chances at our place," he added: "We didn't have our strongest side out in the Plate because we had a few players cup-tied.

"But with a full strength squad and home advantage, I am confident we can beat them at home."

While Burnley are resigned to the fact that they will finish runners-up, victory would be the perfect tonic ahead of an end-of-season promotion play-off against the Cumbria League runners-up - most likely to be Netherhall.

"We haven't been given a date for the play-off but at least we know who we are playing," said Harbour.