Saddleworth 23

Haresfinch 10 AN under-strength Finch team produced a below-par display and were deservedly beaten by an eager young Saddleworth outfit.

After the heroics of the previous week's effort against National Conference outfit Eastmoor in the National Cup, Finch came down to earth with a bump.

The visitors were always facing an uphill struggle after conceding a sloppy interception try in the first five minutes and by the interval Saddleworth had built up a 10-0 lead with a second try and a penalty goal.

Finch made a better start to the second half with a well-taken touchdown by centre John Jackson, goalled by player/coach Billy Platt.

But Saddleworth quickly regained the initiative and they put the result beyond doubt with two further tries, one converted, plus a penalty and a drop goal.

To their credit, Finch kept plugging away and they were rewarded when probably the best move of the day resulted in second-row Paul Horsley scoring wide out, but it was too little too late.

Overall, though, this was a disappointing performance by Finch, whose efforts were not helped by the all-too-familiar cry-offs which saw them travel with a bare 15 players.

Centre John Jackson didn't deserve to finish on the losing side, however, and there were spirited displays also from loose-forward Karl Farrall and veteran prop Henry Gearing.

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