Wath Brow Hornets 58, Wigan St Jude’s 18
The Hornets set their stall back out in the National Conference League’s top flight with a resounding 58-18 home victory over Wigan St Jude’s.

With only four minutes on the clock, the Brow began their campaign with a Jamie Devine try in the corner, with the conversion just short of the uprights.
Both teams pounded the other’s defences but then the Brows’ Neil Stewart broke away from his marker and slipped the ball out to Graham Lupton, whose try extended the lead, with a Craig Johnstone conversion.

Peter Caddy was next to get his name on the score sheet after stepping his would be marker, but the conversion was wide.
The home side were now looking in control with David Pettitt, Scott Teare and Matthew Huby making good yards with every drive.

Then, against the run of play, Jude’s’ Steve King gathered a loose ball from the ground to give the visitors the first score of the afternoon, Gaz Thomas converted for 14-6.

Four minutes later and the Brow’s Karl Dixon restored their advantage, and then before the stroke of half time, Neil Stewart crossed followed closely again by Dixon to go over for his second try of the game, Johnstone converting for 28-6.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with St Jude’s always playing catch-up and the home side extended their lead to 46-6 before their visitors staged a mini comeback.

Scott Teare, Andrew Hocking and James Toman all made it over the try line, with Johnstone on target with all three conversions.

Then, in a strong four minute spell, St Jude’s crossed for two converted tries but it was too little, too late.

The final words went to the Brow, with two tries in the last seven minutes of the game.
First Lupton collected his second with Carl Rudd converting and then Peter Caddy raced over for the second try.

And not to be outshone by his son, Ian Rudd, coach of the side and father of Carl, pulled his boots back on and added the last two-pointer of the game.