'Park have a comprehensive win after early scares.

Aspull 20 v 47 Broughton Park

Broughton Park continued their push for promotion with, in the end, a comprehensive win over Aspull. Promotion rivals Wilmslow beat top of the table Leigh bringing the top three places within one point and 'Park going second on points difference.

If 'Park thought the Aspull game was going to be easy they were rudely awakened when within two minutes Aspull put a penalty over, with the strong wind, from near the half way line. On 9 minutes the big awkward centre for Aspull ran through the 'Park outhalf and full back to score under the posts a converted try. Immediately afterwards Tom Mapp put over a penalty for 'Park making the score 10 - 3 after 10 mins.

Aspull stole the ball from a lineout that 'Park won and the ball went out to the big awkward Aspull centre who jinked passed the 'Park central defence to score under the posts another converted try. 17 - 3 after 15 minutes.

'Park now came more into the game and John Clifford picked up from the base of a scrum and forced his way over for an unconverted try. 17 - 8 after 20 mins.

The Aspull kicker wasn't missing anything and he was given another opportunity when the 'Park centre was mysteriously penalised. Now after 25 mins Aspull were 20 points to 8 in the lead and looking dangerous.

However towards the end of the first half 'Park forwards began to dominate and from a tap penalty, in injury time, John Clifford forced himself over for his second try. Half-time 20 - 13.

With the wind in the second half Tom Mapp broke the gain line with a good run. The forwards drove the ball on and Mark Flynn broke off and made more good ground before the ball went out to Simon Verbickas who scored an unconverted try near the corner. Tom Mapp put 'Park into the lead after Aspull offended at a ruck to make the score 20 - 21. A trademark Mark Poole unconverted try from a well worked lineout put 'Park further into the lead.

Picker up of scraps Dave 'Beastie' Rodgers seized upon a loose ball to run half the length of the pitch before passing to Graham Booker to score a converted try under the posts.

Aspull were suffering with injuries to their big awkward centre and one of their props had to go off but they still looked dangerous on the break. However their woes increased when Ronan O'Brien picked up a loose pass and outstripped the Aspull defence from the half way line to score under the posts.

The final score was Aspull 20 v 47 Broughton Park. If the Aspull centre and prop had stayed on the pitch the game may well have been much harder.

Barry Allen.