Published at 13:03, Wednesday, 29 February 2012

DALTON made the last eight of the North West Counties Cup with four tries from Adam Nicholson in a high-scoring win at Haydock.

FOUR TRIES: Adam Nicholson

NW COUNTIES CUP

Haydock

38

Dalton

42

The home team took an early 6-0 lead, but it did not last long as Nicholson stretched over from close range.

Haydock struck again when their lively full-back showed his pace to go in unopposed, but from the kick-off Dalton forced the error. Nicholson picked up the loose ball and went over for his second try. Dan Sayle made no mistake with the kick for a 12-10 lead. The advantage was increased with a try right out of the top drawer as the ball was moved wide, Sayle broke the line and Joe Watson was in support. With the full-back covering, he offloaded for Ryan Baines to score by the posts, Sayle’s kick making it 18-10.

Reid found Sayle to crash over from close range and a further Sayle penalty increased the lead to 26-10. Haydock scored two tries before the break to narrow the gap to 26-20, but Sayle slotted over another penalty.

The hosts closed the gap to two points after a well worked try, before Dalton’s pack began to take control.

Nicholson, Jack Flynn and Chris Reid had Haydock on the back foot, while Owen Wilkinson caused problems with his direct running.

Nicholson scored his hat-trick try for 34-26, but then Dalton gave a cheep penalty away and the home team scored again to make it a two-point game.

A long-range Sayle penalty and a fourth try for Nicholson made the game safe at 42-32, though a Haydock score at the death made the final gap only four points after a pulsating cup match.

Nicholson took a deserved man-of-the-match award for his four tries, but there were strong performances throughout the team.

The win puts Dalton in the last eight and sets them up nicely for the visit of Walney on Saturday.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk