Broughton Park's forward strength overcomes higher ranked Fleetwood to go into the Quarter final of the Lancashire Cup.

'Park faced the very strong wind in the first half and were pinned back in their own territory for long periods by their own mistakes and by Fleetwood's kicking. Both sides had players missing and to make matters worse for 'Park they had solid citizen and very influential No.8 John Clifford go off with an injury after 5 minutes. The pack was re-arranged but they still managed to push Fleetwood back on their own ball. A good omen for things to come?

After 5 minutes 'Park infringed and the Fleetwood kicker lived up to his reputation by kicking the long penalty. He added to his reputation 5 minutes later by kicking another. 0 - 6 after only 10 minutes. When Fleetwood did get quick clean ball their backs looked quick and threatening, fortunately they did not get much quick clean ball because of the spoiling of the 'Park back row, with Man of the Match flanker Dave Rodgers outstanding. 'Park did manage to get into the Fleetwood half but a mistake allowed a breakaway with only full back Ronan O'Brien to beat but he stopped the breakaway in its tracks and 'Park cleared the lines. Fleetwood were going backwards in the scrummage but their No.8 was still managing to come away with good ball. 'Park tackled well and kept them out until half-time. 0 - 6.

'Park now had the strong wind but missed two very kickable penalties through the normally reliable boot of Pete Oakes. Pete also had two of his kicks to touch charged down but made ammends after 52 mins by putting over a penalty 3 - 6 and 5 mins later another one to make the score 6 - 6.

Fleetwood backs were still looking dangerous and it only took some desperate tackling to stop the moves. On 62mins Fleetwood had a scrummage, they were going backwards but the No.8 still got the ball and passed, as he had done all afternoon, to his scrum-half but the 'Park scrum half Shaun Stirrup read the pass and intercepted, to go over under the posts. Pete Oakes converted to make the score 13 - 6.

With 10 mins to go 'Park had a couple of good phases of play when replacement Ben Collinson made good ground for the ball to come out to full back Ronan O'Brien who scored near the corner. 18 - 6

A good passage of play saw 'Park win the ball just inside the Fleetwood half, it went through many hands to reach makeshift winger Steve Kiely who shrugged off tackles to score near the corner. 23 - 6.

The last 3 mins saw Fleetwood playing catch up rugby, keeping the ball alive and running everything. The pressure paid off with a try wide out on the right. The last kick of the game was the conversion attempt which was missed.

'Park now play away at either Liverpool or Preston in the quarter final.

Next week, 12th of March is a crunch game versus Leigh. The winner will go 2nd in the league.