BLACKPOOL SEA EAGLES 31 LANCASTER 26

In front of their biggest crowd of the season the Sea Eagles once again put on a Jekyll and Hyde performance but this time managed to come away with their second win of the season. Prop Keith Slater opened the scoring for the hosts after ten minutes, Mark Holden extending the lead from a planned tap move on quarter time.

Lancaster replied through Martin Pike after some excellent approach play but the visitors were made to pay for letting the kick off go dead, Blackpool winger Tony Clarke scoring their try of the season as he gathered the ball on the full before setting off on a weaving 60 metre run past six would be defenders before scoring in the corner. Craig Campbell edged the hosts further ahead with a penalty before Holden scored his second try to make it 20-4 at the break.

The second half began well for the Sea Eagles when after some superb support play by Chadwick, Adkin, Campbell and Simpson, Campbell finished off a glorious 60 metre passage of play and added the extras. Lancaster replied after a move close to the line saw second rower Shaun Humphries cross but in the 52nd minute Russ Webster broke and full back Paul Adkin claimed his second try of the season to give the home side a 30-8 lead. On the hour, Lancaster’s best Dave McVernon signaled the start of a fight back with his first of two tries in quick succession before setting up Andy Garnett to score by the posts, Neil Walker adding his second conversion to cut the gap to only six points. Craig Campbell’s field goal seemed to have given the Sea Eagles breathing space but a Walker penalty three minutes from time set up a tense finish.

RK Fitness Man of the Match : Dave McVernon