14th February 2009 

CLASSY Recs pulled off a shock victory away at Wigan St Judes to progress to the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The NWC Premier Division stunned the National Conference Premier Division outfit with a outstanding display of free flowing rugby and gritty determination that left coach John Ledger saluting his side’s character.

Having opened with a try in the second minute by winger Mark Rigby following long pass by stand off Ryan Rogers Pilks fell behind as St Judes replied with converted tries by Carl Jones and Paul Pendlebury in the space of four minutes despite having a player in the sin bin.

The visitors defence appeared vulnerable but, lifted by the impact of giant forward Mike Loughlin from the bench, they pulled themselves together and in-form centre Nigel Pratt dived in after his dazzling footwork fooled the St Judes defence.

Recs trailed 12-8 at the break but fired up by a passionate half time team talk they lifted their game and a sparkling solo effort by full back Mark Ashton, that was converted, put Pilks ahead in the 42nd minute.

The Wiganers laid siege to the visitors’ tryline but sloppy finishing and the resolve of workaholic packmen John Rees, Neil Morris and Peter Cahalin meant Recs held firm.

Loughlin’s relentless charges were punishing the St Judes defence and with confidence coursing through the men in red, amber and black, loose-forward Rawsthorne produced a moment of magic that struck a crucial blow for Recs.

The stocky skipper sold a dummy to several defenders before crashing under the posts in the 66th minute and Loughlin converted to give the visitors an eight point cushion.

Four minutes later Ashton cut through the visitors’ defence to bag his second following an incisive short pass by Ryan Rogers. Another Loughlin conversion and a penalty minutes later left Recs firmly in command.

St Judes rallied but tries by centre Jones in the 79th minute and in the fifth minute of injury time could not deny the men from City Road a famous win.

The Commhoist man of the match went to Morris and Loughlin was the C&S Tyres players’ player of the match.