Burnley and Pendle victorious over Mancunians

Burnley and Pendle produced perhaps their finest display in defeating Mancunians RL away 34-20.

The home team started strongly with the Reds struggling to contain the bigger Manchester forwards. With Burnley and Pendle pinned down in their own half, the home side shifted the ball wide to score in the corner.

After the early onslaught, Burnley and Pendle hit back through the strong running of young centre, Jack Wilkinson. Converted by skipper, Matt Crowley.

The home side then scored again to take the lead. A period of B&P pressure saw another barnstorming run from centre Jack Wilkinson, running a perfect line to take a short pass from Will Holden, to go over under the sticks. A conversion from Matt Crowley made 10-12 at half time.

Mancunians once again started the stronger. Relentless pressure saw them go over twice.

Mid-way through the second half, the Reds started the fight back. The returning Konrad Hill, coming on in the fullback position, made telling incursions into the attacking line resulting in a fine try to peg back the Mancunians lead.

By now the home side was rattled. Indiscipline on their side kept the pressure on. With the temperature soaring the bigger Mancunians seemed to struggle with the sniping runs from the pacier B&P back line.

The elusive Will Holden spotted a gap and took advantage to sprint home from 40 metres to take the lead with about 10 minutes to go.

On the next possession, Matt Crowley slipped a miracle ball to Shaye McCullough. With only inches to play with on the right touch line, McCullough tiptoed past the defence, stepped off his right foot to fool the covering fullback and powered his way over the line to score under the posts.

With minutes to go Mancunians elected for a short kick off that was gathered by Joe Holden. With the Mancunians defence now out on their feet, Will Holden once again evaded the jaded would-be tacklers to put the result beyond doubt and earn Burnley and Pendle a well deserved victory.

Final Score: Mancunians 20, Burnley and Pendle 34