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Bright start to Premier League life

25/ 8/2005

NEWLY promoted Eccles and Salford Juniors began life in the National Conference Premier Division with a creditable draw against a Thornhill Trojans side that finished third in last season's competition.

Eccles afforded the visitors too much respect early on and they fell behind to an unconverted try on 23 minutes.

This score was doubled five minutes later but Eccles and Salford Juniors then started to force their way back into the game.

Jason Carter touched down out wide after John McAtee had made a 25-yard break and thrown out a looping pass over Thornhill's defence.

And they deservedly levelled matters on 65 minutes when Martin Wilcock picked up a last tackle chip and raced 60 metres to the try line.

Roosters showed excellent defensive qualities throughout with John Brookes and Jason Viller sharing the top tackle count.

They coped admirably when Dave Fallon was sin-binned in the 59th minute for a high tackle and man of the match David Hedgecock secured the draw by charging down a last-ditch drop goal attempt.