Blackburn RUFC 33 Kirkby Lonsdale 14

5:24pm Tuesday 30th October 2007

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BLACKBURN have gone top of the North Lancs/Cumbria League thanks to a wonderful second half performance against title-rivals Kirkby Londsale.

The Ramsgreave Drive side went in to the game trailing Kirkby on points difference alone but it appeared it would be the Cumbria side who would have clear daylight at the top after leading 14-3 at the break.

Kirkby were gifted two first half tries both results of Blackburn mistakes. They made the breakthrough on 10 minutes when they capatilised on a stray pass from Dino Radice to score a coverted try.

Blackburn skipper Paul Bleasdale slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit before Kirkby extended their lead when an attempted clearance by full back Barnes was charged down and the try was again coverted.

But Blackburn came out firing after the break and within two minutes, Miquele Waqa powered over for the first of his two tries. Burn upped the physicality of their game with the home back row making some thumping hits. From one such hit, the Kirkby backs dropped the ball and Burn moved the ball sharply for centre Richard Maudsley to fly over for a super 60 metre effort.

Blackburn's pack was causing the visitors all sorts of problems and from a further attacking position, the home forwards drove for the line and scrum half Bleasdale came up with the score.

Bleasdale extended Blackburn's lead with a penalty before Waqa crossed for his second try following some nice handling gave him room to steam over. Bleasdale converted and added a late penalty to seal a fine victory.

Chairman of Rugby Gareth Dyer said: "Kirkby have lots of pace and strong backs and we were very aware that if we gave them any room they would hurt us. Our plan was to be physical and pressure their set piece to try and prevent any quick ball. In the first half we were probably a bit too wound up and this led to a few mistakes.

"However, we probably laid the groundwork in the first 40 minutes with our hard tackling and strong tight work. This paved the way for our dominance in the second period. In the end the scoreboard was probably about right given our territory and possession."

He added: "It's nice that we remain unbeat and are top of the league but it doesn't really count for much at this stage.

"We are playing alright at the moment but there is still more to come and our focus now turns to our next opponents St. Benedicts."

The game was sponsored by James Dewhurst and Sons who awarded Luke Copping the man of the match award.

BLACKBURN: 1) McCarthy 2) Millea 3) Reay 4) Miller 5) Beeston 6) Copping 7) Jarrold 8) Pearson 9) Bleasdale (Capt)10) Radice 11) Waqa 12) Elston 13) Sutcliffe 14) Maudsley 15) Barnes 16) Calcutt (3) 17) Naude (6) 18) Pickles (13)