31st August 2010

Blackburn 11 Wigan 15
Lancashire Trophy
Saturday 28th August 2010

Wigan went through to the 2nd round of the Lancashire Trophy following an 11-15 win away to Blackburn. With a stiff breeze in their favour Andy Whittle thumped over a long range penalty in the second minute to give Wigan the lead.
Good work at the set piece where Roy Caine and Lee Roby were making a return to competitive action after long absences put the home side under pressure.Eventually this told as Caine set up a ruck from where Steve Peacock slipped through to touch down under the posts Whittle adding the conversion.
Wigan had chances to extend their lead but failed to capitalise on the breaks by full back Danny Winrow and strong running from lock Alex Austin.
Early in the second period from a blindside move Jon Blan chipped through for Winrow to gather the ball and score.
Blackburn pulled back 6 points through a drop goal and penalty in the third quarter but poor handling let them down in the face of some determined Wigan defence but in the closing minutes Blackburn did claim an injury time consolation try.

Birchfield 27 Orrell 24
Lancashire Trophy
Saturday 28th August 2010

Despite a spirited second half come back Orrell were unable to overcome a 27-7 half time deficit and are now out of the Lancashire Trophy.
Playing at Widnes RUFC's ground and taking full advantageof a stiff breeze the 'home' side rattled in three converted tries and slotted two penalties to take a 27-0 lead.
Orrell hit back with a try by John Whittacker just before the interval, the prop crashing over after a series of drives by the pack had sucked in opposition fringe defenders. Dean Swift added the conversion to give the 'Black and Ambers some hope at the start of the second period.
Alex Simpson brought up the second the No8 picking up at the back of an attacking scrum five metres out to plough over the line, Swift's conversion making it 27-14.
Following a break down the right Andrew Unsworth popped up on the inside for a well worked third and from a penalty in the Birchfield '22' John Presho entered from the blindside wing to create the extra man before releasing Neil Kerfoot who put Louis Whitfield clear for the fourth.
Just four points adrift Orrell were pressing hard but were unable to add to their score.
Geoff Lightfoot