Wigan 14 Blackburn 69

CLASSY Blackburn celebrated in style after one of their biggest wins of the season handed them the North Lancashire and Cumbria title.

‘Burn started the game needing just a point to be crowned champions, and they ran in 46 unanswered points in a one-sided second half to claim the crown.

Delighted Blackburn coach Dino Radice said: “It is a terrific achievement for the club, the players should be very proud.

“We’ve been working towards this over the past couple of seasons, and winning the title is much deserved.”

He added: “When we lost at home to Leigh in January we set ourselves the target of winning all the remaining games with a bonus point.

“The players achieved that and, ultimately, it was those precious bonus points that made the difference.”

Blackburn did not have it all their own way in the first period, though, and their opponents were still in the contest at the break, with ‘Burn holding a narrow nine point advantage.

Indeed, it was Wigan who forged ahead with the first try of the game.

But then Blackburn stepped up a gear, scoring four tries before the break with Alex Evans, Marc Maher, Matt Hughes and Sean Hall all amongst the points.

With the title confirmed, Blackburn were firing on all cylinders now and they swamped Wigan.

Sam Morgan set the ball rolling, staying low to score in the corner after some excellent work by Marc Maher.

Although the conversion was missed, ‘Burn needed just nine minutes to score again as Maudsley went over the line following a powerful charge.

Leon Fifield then powered his way though for another Blackburn try and when Mark Briggs rolled back the years to touch down for another ‘Burn score, the visitors were in cruise control.

Morgan, Parkinson and Maudsley then combined for Anton Garcia, who crashed over to keep the scoreboard spinning.

Fifield then grabbed his second try of the game, scoring virtually unopposed as Wigan crumbled under Blackburn’s onslaught.

Blackburn were not finished, though, and six minutes from time they landed their penultimate try.

From a scrum thirty metres out, Maher and Matt Hughes combined, and Nathan Sewell was there in support to fall over the line.

Blackburn still had time for one more score with the last play of the game.

Sean Hall set the ball rolling, passing to Maudsley, who cut through the defence with ease.

He, in turn, sent Matt Hughes free to score under the posts. It marked Hughes’ 36th try of the season, a club record and a fitting way to round off a superb campaign.

Blackburn meet Bolton in the Lancashire Trophy next week.