Hare & Hounds 20 Shevington Sharks 14 HOUNDS recorded their first win of the season with this hard-fought success over a Sharks side who had won their three previous games.

The home side started well, taking the lead with a try by in-form centre Lee Johnson, goaled by loose-forward Kevin Parylo. However, the loss of half-backs Paul Martin and Paul Gavin with injuries, temporarily disrupted their rhythm and the Sharks took advantage to lead 10-6 at the interval.

After the break Hounds came out in determined mood and a good try by experienced prop Karl Grounds put them right back in the driving seat. Parylo added the converson and then added two penalties to make it 16-10.

Shevington, coached by Warrington Wolves full-back Lee Penny, hit back though and created a number of opportunities on their left flank only to be denied by a combination of sloppy handling and some spirited scrambling defence by Hounds. With the game hanging in the balance the home side finally made sure of the points when strong-running forward Mike Vose powered through three would-be tacklers to go over to the left of the posts.

Shevington grabbed a consolation try in the last minute but couldn't deny the homesters a much-needed and well-deserved win.

In a good all-round team efforts Hounds were particularly well served by hard-working hooker Dave Haggerty, centres Johnson and Ste Hill, second-row Reece Allan and substitute Phil Turner.