Heaton Moor Junior Colts reached the final of the Lancashire Cup when they sneaked past the stern challenge of Liverpool Collegiate by 20-19.
In a tense and tight game, it was much-improved discipline that saw them eke out a one-point victory to avenge their narrow defeat on the opening day of the season.
Jonno Glanfield inspired his team, winning crucial ball all afternoon, perfectly capped off with two tries.
But it was the Liverpool side who started brighter, running in two early tries under the posts with some of Moor’s tackling not quite to their usual standard.
Glanfield scored his first in between but it was a healthy 14-5 lead for the visitors after 20 minutes.
Nick Tenney slotted a penalty to reduce the lead to six but Collegiate grabbed another try after some serious pressure, the lead now a convincing eleven points.
On the stroke of half-time, after some great work by Asa Bottomley and Dylan Starkie, Joe Kilbride touched down and Tenney converted to reduce the arrears to 19-15.
That score turned out to be pivotal as Heaton Moor came out second half, winning all their personal battles and Glanfield got what turned out to be the winning score with ten minutes gone.
The remainder of the game was a fantastic defensive effort by both sides but it was Heaton Moor who will meet Blackburn in the final in 2018.
Final score: HMRUFC 20-19 Liverpool Collegiate 19
Tries: J Glanfield (2), J Kilbride; Con: N Tenney; Pen: Tenney
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