RUGBY UNION: On a scorching hot day and in front of their largest crowd of the season, Blackburn produced one of their best performances to beat (at long last) their more loftier neighbours.

The game began badly for Blackburn with the visitors looking far more athletic, creating two tries in quick succession. However, the home side's enthusiasm could not be dampened and, urged on by captain Mick Cottam and pack leader Rick Whalley, Blackburn inched their way back into the game with several confidence-boosting passages of play and following a quickly taken tap penalty, flanker Micky Doolan reacted quickest of all to cross the line. With Blackburn's forwards now in the ascendancy, the backs showed some deft touches, allowing wingman Gavin Kaye to score out wide. Not to be outdone, Preston battered the home defence with some strong driving play of their own and the inevit- able try came just on the half time whistle to send Preston into a 10-17 lead.

With parity in scrum and lineout Blackburn's openings were created by good use of quick ruck ball and excellent lines of running epitomised by Mick Cottam who evaded several desperate tackles to score under the posts and tie the game.

The home side spent the next 10 minutes encamped in the visitors' half and from a fourth phase of play the ball was spun wide for Adam Kaye to claim his second score.

This stung Preston into fervent action and after a series of energy-sapping attacks it was left to their speedy winger to waltz in unopposed.

With the conversion missed Blackburn still held a narrow lead which was almost immediately extended when full back Graham Bancroft outflanked the now ragged defenders to score in the corner for the final score of the game and clinch this topsy turvy match for the home side.

Weekend club match results included: Clitheroe 7, Gloucester OB 35; Colne & Nelson 34, Skipton 17.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.