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Eccles could face relegation

15/11/2002

RL: National Conference One - Eccles 6, Bradford Dudley Hill 29

ECCLES were dragged into a relegation dogfight after a disappointing home defeat against a well-drilled Bradford side. There was no lack of effort from the Mort Lane men - they simply had no answer to the slick visiting attack, which constantly carved holes through the home defence.

Bradford edged ahead with a drop goal then made it 5-0 10 minutes later, when good support gave them an opening try. Another try followed 20 minutes later - although the referee missed a blatant obstruction in the build up - but Hill kicker Robinson hit the crossbar with his conversion.

Eccles hit back immediately, when Dean Pickup passed to John McAtee to hand-off a defender and score. Pickup added the goal, but the visitors responded with a try and a penalty of their own before half-time.

Eccles looked stronger after the restart and Matt Bateman's pace forced the visitors to drop out after McAtee's long kick. But when top try-scorer Jimmy Campbell was sent off for a high tackle and Robinson added the penalty, the chance for a fight back had gone for Eccles.

Darren Mumby stepped out of a tackle in the 65th minute to score a try converted by Robinson. Then winger Jamie Brentley completed his hat-trick with four minutes to go.

Carlo Napolitano won the man of the match award. The defeat leaves Eccles in ninth position, just three points ahead of the bottom-placed team, Waterhead.

• Cadishead Rhinos 37 Waterhead 12: RHINOS' magnificent season gathered new pace as they disposed of Division Four Waterhead on Saturday, writes Mike Owen. Rhinos coach Paul Finch was forced to make changes before the kick-off, but that didn't stop the Rhinos - who charged to victory against a side two divisions higher in the league system.

Mark Woodvine opened the Rhinos account with a drop goal, before Paul Elliott and Chris Brannan charged over for tries. Both were converted by Woodvine to give the home side a 13-0 lead. In the second half, man of the match Richie Hays scored the first of his two tries before Jason Reed continued his superb try-scoring run with a touchdown in the corner. With Waterhead's challenge fading fast, Phil White and Paul Bradley charged over for their first tries for the club - completing a marvellous day for the Cadishead side.

On Saturday the Rhinos take on Widnes Albion at Lord Street, kick-off 2pm.

• North West Counties Cup Round One - Widnes St Maries 14 Eccles A 16: ECCLES held on with just 11 fit players during the final half hour of a pulsating cup tie against Division Six Widnes. Having travelled down to East Lancs with no substitutes, John Brookes scored a hat-trick for Eccles to help them build a seemingly unassailable 16-0 lead with 30 minutes to go. But after injuries to Tommy Harrison and Jimmy Lomax, the home team pulled back 14 points before they ran out of time. Lee Foster kicked two goals for Eccles.

• Women's Rugby League Association Division One - Folly Lane 12 Bank Quay Bulls 4: FOLLY punished the Warrington-based Bulls side by bouncing back to form with a fine display. Tries from Anouska Peck and Lisa Heslop and a penalty and conversion from Rachel Back were enough to sink the Bulls - whose discipline problems meant they never looked like claiming the points. Despite the poor conditions at Blue Ribbon, the Folly side kept their shape and coach Lee Spencer said he was very happy with their performance.