Heaton Moor Junior Colts completed preparations for their Lancashire Cup final tie with a 24-17 victory over Wirral.

It all looked so smooth in the first half with Moor dominating proceedings, a strong pack providing a platform for some sparkling rugby in particular by Joe Kilbride, Tom Whitehead and skipper Nick Tenney.

It was hooker Jake Barrett who started the scoring with a very determined finish, typifying his display, Tenney converting.

Then Kilbride scored a stunning try after some great work by Bob Berry, the Moor lads really putting their opponents to the sword.

Ten minutes before half-time, a robust finish by the perpetually battling Trevor Chappell gave Heaton Moor a healthy and deserved 17-point interval lead.

Changes were made at half-time and the Merseysiders grabbed their opportunity, and by the end of the third quarter, they had scored two tries, one converted, to bring the score to 17-12 in favour of the home team.

But ten minutes from time came the move of the game. From an attacking scrum, man-of-the-match Tenney fed the Kilbride brothers, the younger Cameron with a perfect pass for Angus Boothroyd to cross for the clinching score.

There was still time for the gallant Wirral to score a try but Heaton Moor ran out deserved victors.

On now to Eccles April 29 to take on the challenge of Blackburn in what promises to be a cracker of a climax to the season.