ST BENEDICT'S travelled to Tyldesley intent on maintaining their title challenge in North Lancs Cumbria and were successful 57-7.

They stay two points behind Aspatria with three games in hand, but will have Twickenham on their minds this Saturday when they host Wolverhampton in the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup.

Saints showed their intentions as early as the seventh minute, when Kyle Hiddleston scored under the posts, after good running from Scott Wood.

Within three minutes Saints were on the score sheet again as a great tackle on half way from Gordon Maudling saw the ball. It was swiftly moved to the wing where the supporting Mike Hawley beat two defenders and put over a cross kick which Steven Nelson was on hand to collect and score. Steve Wood added his second conversion.

When Tyldsley were caught off-side Saints kicked for the corner and from the line-out the mecurail Scot Wood collected. The Saints pack drove on and near the home line the ball was moved to centre Kurt Maudling who burst the line to score.

Saints’ fourth try came from veteran Steve Wood who rolled back the years, as the ball was moved along the line from a line-out. He was on the end of the line and showed fleet of foot before selling an outrageous dummy that the home side took and strolled in under the posts. Dan Rayson added the conversion.

The impressive Hiddleston scored his second try 5th when the ball was moved from the pack to the backline allowing him to dart over. Rayson converted.

Hawley scored Saints 6th try when good work by Kris Wood saw the ball moved to the wing, and a foot race ensued are not many that will catch Hawley in full stride and he went over out wide. Rayson’s conversion gave Saints a 40-0 led at the break.

Early in the second-half came a turning point in the game as a Tyldesley player received a neck injury which stopped play. The game was moved to a second pitch but this took all the momentum out of the game as both sides seemed to go through the motions.

Tyldsley scored a consolation converted try before strong running from Calumn Howse saw him go over in the corner taking a couple of home players over with him.

Saints; final and 8th try came from back-rower Steven Nelson, who was scoring his second of the day, after Kurt Maudling broke the line.

During the days leading up to the Aspatria v Ashton U Lyne clash it became clear that Ashton, who are already relegated, would be unable to field a full strength team.

In consultation with Ashton and the League Secretary a compromise was reached, that Aspatria would be awarded a five point home walk over win. This accommodation then allowed Ashton to raise a side and fulfil the fixture as a friendly.

Spokesman Barney Clegg said: “All at the Aspatria club were grateful to the Ashton players who travelled to take part in an entertaining game of rugby and wish them well for the remainder of the season”.

Aspatria have a big game at Bolton on Saturday and will be encouraged that the Lancashire side were given a stern test at Wigton.

Bolton kept alive their promotion hopes by virtue of a solid second half defensive performance at Wigton to record a 3-10 win in a well-scontested game.

The first score came from a midfield scrum to Bolton. A fairly routine passing move saw the ball shipped to the left flank where a missed tackle created an opportunity for winger Shacklock, who looked threatening all afternoon. He outpaced the cover defence to open the scoring.

Centre Bate, influential in attack and defence, prised open a defence pulled out of shape by some strong runs down the middle. He ran into the 22 and produced an accurate long pass to right winger Robinson who crossed for the second try.

As Wigton tried to take advantage of penalties and lineouts, time ran out in the first-half and they opted for centre Gregg Smith to kick three points to make the half time score 3-10.

Wigton went on to dominate the second half with very little action in the home half but they lacked a cutting edge and there were no further points scored. The Bolton defence missed very little, even when they were at one point reduced to 13 men.

Silloth are back in the bottom three after a 41-3 defeat at Oldham while Whitehaven’s game at De La Salle was postponed.