The Souths retained the Walney State Of Origin trophy with a 32-8 victory over the North in the annual fixture at Central Drive last Saturday.

Both teams have now won on three occasions with one drawn in what has become one of the most fiercely-contested fixtures of the calendar.

The South had the more experienced players on view in the likes of Matt Elliott, Jordan Staffieri, Stu Tippet and Mark McKinley along with many years retired Alan Kendall (49)

The Norths were led by Jamie Morrow, 48-year-old Jason Zaccarini and Liam Finch, with the latter having a spell out due to a knock to the facial area. Mark Morris also came out of retirement to feature for them.

The only sour note from the day was Liam Rooke having to be transported to Furness General Hospital with a serious arm injury.

The Souths were soon into the lead when after a deep kick from Jamie Morrow, play went back upfield for Mark McKinley to be hauled down 20 yards out. From the play the ball, Matty Elliott crossed the whitewash for Dave Bell to convert.

It was soon 10-0 when good approach work was rounded off by Elliott Bibby diving in at the corner as the Souths took control of the contest.

And when Liam Wright was trying to clear his line, Elliott stole the ball to go in by the posts for his second try of the game, Bell tagging on the goal.

The North were finding it difficult to have ball in hand and when Tippett broke clear and headed for the line on hand with a crunching tackle was Morrow.

Elliott was then held short but a quick play the ball saw Bell dart in from close range to score and converted himself 22-0 to make it the break

The second half was barely under way when a neat cross kick from the returning Finch saw Tippett, usually Mr Reliable for the South, fail to gather over his own line allowing Dan Fisher to score and finally put the North on the board.

The South were soon to respond, however, with the ever alert Elliott completing his hat-trick, he also added the goal to extend the lead to 28-4 and take the game away from the South once and for all.

The North came more into the frame in attack, though, and Fisher was in for his second after taking a long pass from Finch despite a last ditch tackle from Tippett.

Jamie Morrow almost had try number three for the North when he took play to the line and was about to go under the posts but a great smothering tackle from Elliott hauled him down.

The North did round off the scoring, as Jamie Marshall crossed wide out for an unconverted try.

Paul Zaccarini father of the late Dean presented the trophy to Souths skipper Damien Hornby with Matty Solsby (South) and Kieron Sharp (North) named men of the match.