1st March 2008

RESILIENT defending helped Recs maintain their title challenge with a hard fought victory over a physical Golborne outfit.
The scoreline flattered the home side whose attack was lacklustre against the impressive visitors who held territory for large parts of the contest.
An early try by centre Andy Lyons after stand off Mark Forber had intercepted a pass put Pilks on top. Then midway through the half full back Ashton crossed after Ryan Rogers and John Rees had combined.
Both tries were converted by Forber to give Pilks a 12-point cushion attacking down the slope with a strong wind in their favour.
Yet Recs were distinctly off-colour and they needed strong displays from the likes of Andy Burns, Rees and Ste Rawsthorne to challenge a dominant Golborne pack.
The visitors deservedly hit back through prop Ste Pownall for a try that was converted by half back Stuart Arkwright. The gap was just six at the break and though Golborne pressed they ultimately lacked Recs' strike power.
The crucial try came in the 50th minute when winger Rigby took a magnificent offload from centre Nigel Pratt before rounding the full back. Forber converted.
In a bruising encounter Pilks lost Lyons, Pratt, Rees and Gary Philbin with knocks. But John Ledger's side hung on and Rigby's second, in injury time after a sweeping move between Rogers, Ashton and man-of-the match Rawsthorne, was the moment of the game.
Realistically, outsiders Pilks need to be victorious in all their six remaining games to win the title, including home and away fixtures against leaders Bank Quay, who remain unbeaten in the league.