WIGAN St Judes left Fallowfield Park triumphant with a 24-14 victory over Askam after a closely-fought 80 minutes.

Judes deserved their win, playing attractive rugby, and though the result was in the balance going into the final 15 minutes, the hosts rarely looked like applying pressure that could have given them the two points on offer.

The Villagers got off to a flier, going into a 4-0 lead in the National Conference Division Two encounter with only two minutes on the clock.

Tom Hopkins made good yards into Judes territory, before a sweeping raid involving Adam Jackson and Gary Bolton resulted in Dan Sayle touching down in the corner.

However, it took only two minutes before the visitors were in the lead, following some fast, flowing rugby.

Half-backs Rob Collier and Rob Fenney linked, before Gavin Roden joined the attack, with winger Darion Ball racing in at the corner. The kick from the touchline from hooker Bary Rothwell sailed high and over the bar for 6-4.

The Wigan pressure continued, and on the final tackle a dangerous chip over the home line from Collier forced Hopkins to be tackled, resulting in a drop-out.

From the kick, Judes came again,with Collier bringing Fenney into the attack, but he lost the ball three yards short.

Askam survived, turning defence into attack, with Hopkins being held inches short of the line.

From there, Bolten fed Sayle, but the centre failed to take the ball and the opportunity for points went begging.

Judes were down to 12 men on 23 minutes, with Paul Pendlebury sent to the sin-bin for a foul on Jackson.

Being a player down, Judes were under pressure as Satterthwaite almost had Mark Tyson over the line. Then, a kick from Sayle caught winger Ashley Marshall in two minds, allowing Sayle to nip in and score. Dowsett failed to convert and the home lead was 8-6.

When Askam were caught offside a minute later, it was level-pegging, with Rothwell kicking the resulting penalty.

It was soon 14-8 to the visitors after a great try from Judes.

Rothwell put Gavin Roden into space, and he parted to Ball, who returned the compliment for Roden to touchdown despite the efforts of Jack Cairns. Collier added the conversion.

Askam were denied points on the half-hour when Tom Askew raced in at the corner, but a forward pass was ruled.

With two minutes of the half remaining, the hosts drew level. Sam Dowsett and Jackson sent Brad Kavanagh to the line, only for the cover to haul him down.A quick play the ball enabled Tom Wilkinson to scurry in by the posts for Dowsett to convert and make it 14-14 at the break.

The second half was tense with defences on top.

Judes threatened with a kick over the home line, but Askew was on hand to mop up, and another raid was halted when Roden knocked on crossing the line.

The Wiganers regained the lead midway through the half when a pass from Sattherthwaite bounced off the shoulder of Tyson, allowing Roden to swoop and race in from 40 yards out. Collier added the goal for 20-14.

Hopkins was sent to the bin for an offence in the tackle, and he was joined three minutes later by Pendlebury (for a second time) for a harsh tackle on Bolton.

Askam rarely threatened in the second half, but when Tyson managed to break clear on a 40-yard run, his pass inside was poor, with the ball going to ground.

Judes sealed the win on 73 minutes with a sweeping attack resulting in speedy winger Askley Marshall going in at the corner.

Also in Division Two, Millom shared the spoils with a 21-21 draw at Crosfields.

In National Conference Division Three, Barrow Island went down 40-20 at Oldham St Annes after trailing 24-6 at half-time.

Island were still on the bus as the Oldham side shot into a 18-0 lead

Debutant and former Millom player Josh Banham crossed in the first half for the visitors, with second-half tries coming from Sam Jones (2) and Jamie Curtis. Matt Parkinson added two goals.

In North West Men’s League Division One Hindpool lost 44-20 at Pilkington Recs A, after trailing 26-6 at the break.

Tries for the Tigers came from Jamie McIroy, Nathan Sneesby, Connor McDermott and Josh Archer, with goals from McIroy and McDermott.

In the Barrow and District League, Dalton and Ulverston are through to the final of the Harry Warman Cup.

Dalton accounted for Walney, while Barrow Island failed to raise a team for their clash with Ulverston.

In the league, Roose Pioneers defeated Hindpool 28-10.