HINDPOOL Tigers moved into the next round of the North West Mens League Cup, but were pushed all the way by Pilkington Recs A before running out 30-26 winners at Brisbane Park.

The Tigers were in control at 30-16 with only minutes remaining, only for Pilks to hit them with ten points, with the clock saving a possible defeat for the home side in those closing stages.

Both lines had narrow escapes in the opening minutes and it took a great catch from full-back Ryan Barker to defuse a threat from Pilks.

The Tigers could have opened the scoring when Daryl Archer made good ground but his pass to Shane Coleman was poor and the opportunity to cross the line was wasted.

More pressure saw Jamie MciIroy and Matt Archer go close before the tackles ran out.

It was at the other end that the first points went on the board when Pilks’ former Widnes forward Sean Richardson sent out a long ball for the gap to open allowing scrum half Dave Flynn to touch down for an unconverted try.

It only took two minutes for the Tigers to respond. A stab to the home line was snapped up by McIlroy and he pinned back his ears to race in from 80 yards. Connor Goodings added the goa.

However, the lead was soon back in the hands of Pilks and it was Richardson who sliced through the cover to ground the ball. Flynn tagged on the conversion.

The Tigers came fighting back with good attacking play but were denied when Matt Archer sent Jordan Mason to within a foot of the line.

With four minutes of the half remaining the Tigers regained the lead when smart play from Barker saw him cut back inside the defence to score, with Goodings adding the goal for 12-10.

From the re-start Barker put the home side under pressure when he failed to gather cleanly and from the resulting scrum good defending kept the Pilks out before on the final tackle hooker Jonathan Maxwell lost control of the ball.

At the other end swift play saw McIlroy send Goodings down the touchline and he returned the ball back to McIlroy who kicked ahead without much joy.

Josh Bayliss was a tower of strength for the home side with many penetrating drives. And it was from one such drive the Tigers stretched their lead as Paul Rickleton’s stab over the line was seized by Matt Archer who touched down, Goodings tagging on the goal.

But lack of discipline soon cost the Tigers dearly when after being caught offside a quick tap enabled Paul Leyland to score. Flynn converted for 18-16 and it was all to play for. It was the Tigers who came back strong when a great run saw Nathan Sneesby hog the touchline to race in from 80 yards despite stumbling five yards out, Goodings adding the goal.

It was soon 30-16 when Matt Archer broke free and in support to crash over was Jamie Flynn. Connors added the goal.

But the Pilks were not finished, hitting back with a brace of tries from Elliott Dennett plus a Flynn conversion, but time ran out on the St Helens side.

It was a poor day in the National Conference as all three teams lost.

Askam went down 12-34 at home to East Leeds while Millom lost 44-26 on the road at Wigan St Judes.

A missed conversion proved costly as Barrow Island lost 24-22 at home to Gateshead Storm.

Both teams crossed the line four times with the Storm adding all four goals. However, Matt Sayle could only manage three from four.

Island led 12-6 at the break with tries from Carl McBain and Jamie Curtis, with the same duo touching down in the second period.

In the Cumbria League Walney gained revenge for defeat up the Coast last month with a 24-6 win over Wath Brow A.

Tries for the Cents came from Jordan Staffieri, 2, Tyler Smith, Stu Tippett and George Nicholls who added two goals.