Hindpool Tigers cruised into the semi-finals of the North West Men’s League Trophy when they chalked up a 58-10 victory over Culcheth Eagles at the home of Barrow Raiders last Saturday.

Led by the impressive Paul Rickleton, the Tigers enjoyed an 11-try spree at Craven Park that confirmed the gap between Divisions Two and Three in the North West Men’s League.

Hindpool did suffer an early shock – a sixth minute try from Eagles Tom Disley when they failed to handle a kick ahead – but once Matt Archer had gone over for the equalising try a couple of minutes later the result was never in doubt.

The Eagles simply collapsed under the weight of the pressure from fitter, faster opponents.

Twice in the space of six minutes, centre Nathan Sneesby caught the visitors defence on the wrong foot, cutting through untouched for a brace of solo tries and by half-time man of the match Rickleton and winger Chris Tyson had crossed to stretch the Tigers lead to 24-4.

With the forwards doing their job by keeping the Eagles pack quiet, Hindpool were able to call on their backs to continue the damage and two minutes into the second half, full back Grant Burns scored the first of his 18-point haul with the Tigers’ sixth try of the afternoon.

Rickleton then showed why the Eagles’ camp named him man of the match with a smart piece of footwork for his second try of the game.

Two quick tries from Connor Goodings strengthened the view that it was only a matter of the size of the winning margin that would take the Tigers into the last four of the Trophy but there was no let-up for the overworked Culcheth defence.

A John Heighton try then took Tigers to the half-century.

A consolation try from Eagles loose forward Adam Heggie was cold comfort for it was Burns who had the final say with Hindpool’s 11th try of a one-sided match, which he also converted.

Two teams from Wigan went into the semi-finals alongside the Tigers, with Spring View breezing past Leigh East A 46-6 and St Patricks A winning comfortably 44-22 at Woolston Rovers A.

Completing the line-up for the last four are Chorley Panthers, who were given a walkover after Pilkington Recs A were unable to raise a team.

The same reason prevented Ulverston from completing their North West Men’s League Cup quarter final at Heysham Atoms, with injuries and an unwillingness to deplete their ‘A’ team forcing them to pull out.