Ruskin Park 46 Douglas 3

AFTER their fine performance against top-of-the-table Hoylake, Ruskin went into this game fully expecting to take the two points against the team from the Isle of Man.

Ruskin's domination began with an early try by Birch who pierced the defence and went in under the posts with Fisher adding the conversion.

The home side continued to apply pressure in the centre of the field with some fine penetrating runs by Howden, Hall and Swift and the platform that they created led to the second try as young Ashcroft blazed in at the corner.

Douglas replied briefly with a penalty goal but Ruskin quickly resumed control and fine work by the backs saw them increase their lead with tries by Tyrone and Donavan, plus a conversion and a penalty by Fisher.

After the interval, Ruskin gave Douglas more of the same with stability from the front eight, making the work that much easier for the backs.

Good work by captain Mousley and Lightfoot led to Ashcroft's second try, converted by Fisher. Then Birch danced past the Douglas defence for his second try.

Finally, the icing on the cake came when substitute Mather sent in Ashcroft to complete his hat-trick, Tyrone converting.