RECS talisman Ste Rawsthorne led a thrilling fightback as his side overturned a 23-point half time deficit to snatch an incredible victory.

The City Roaders turned in a horrible first half performance at Wigan, allowing Cuthies’ pack to dominate.

But their never-say-die attitude – epitomised by skipper Rawsthorne, young second rower Mark Briody, and two try Nigel Pratt – helped them complete the unlikeliest of victories.

Brittle defending, ill discipline, the loss of two Recs players to the sin bin, and some contentious referring decisions contributed to Cuthies running in four tries, six goals and a drop goal in the opening 40-minutes.

The red, amber and blacks sole reply came from a John Rees try, and with the half-time score at 29-6, the visitors appeared dead and buried.

Little had gone right for Recs, but with the slope and wind to their advantage after the break they began to find some fluency.

Their belief swelled when big backrower Briody – who provided a real menace attacking down Recs’ right channel, stormed over from close range.

The influence of scrum-half Danny Lynch and Rawsthorne on the clash was growing and it was the latter that sent full back

Mark Ashton twisting over the line for his first try of the season.

Rawsthorne converted both tries and with the key decisions suddenly swinging in Recs’ favour, the home side’s discipline and composure was disintegrating.

The gap was down to 11 points and with an evident shift in momentum John Ledger’s men scented victory with 10 minutes remaining.

As the big Cuthies’ pack tired – and lost a man to the sin-bin - Recs were exploiting gaps on the fringes and a try by centre Pratt – goaled from wide out by Rawsthorne – closed the gap to five.

The inroads continued down the left hand side of the Wiganers’ defence and Pratt took advantage of another overlap to dart over.

It left Rawsthorne with a touchline conversion to clinch the points and the ice-cool marksman held his nerve to guide the ball through the uprights.

It means already Pilks have completed the league double over one of their closest rivals and on both occasions the margin of victory has been one point.

Rawsthorne was man-of-the-match with Briody taking the players’ player award.

Recs face arch rivals Simms Cross in the third round of the BARLA Lancashire Cup this Saturday (kick-off 2pm) at City Road. The clash is a repeat of last year’s final, which the Widnesians won 24-16.