Cowling Harlequins 34 Allerton Bywater A 20

This was a game the Harlequins were determined to win and five tries from hooker Ross Pearson helped them get the points.

The game started at a electric pace, with Cowling going in for their first score after two minutes, Pearson diving over from close range and Liam Kelly converting.

Craig Nicholson ran the ball from the restart, only for the Quins second rower to be sent off on five minutes for an offence.

Down to 12 men, the fight was on and Quins’ spirit showed through when a penalty in front of the sticks saw Kelly kick two points.

Great work from pack members Brian Vincent, Jay Bingham and Ben Pickle saw Pearson find a gap to go in for his second try and Kelly added the extras.

Allerton went in at the corner them-selves but Pearson completed his hat-trick thanks to a break up field from full back Luke Carter, which gave the hosts an 18-4 interval lead.

Allerton hit back with two quick tries before Cowling captain James Bowdin came off a Kelly pass to go in a the corner to knock the visitors’ spirit.

Kelly again kicked the goal and, with Dave Smith running well, Pearson got in strike range to go in for try number four.

With minutes to go, Pearson clinched his fifth try to seal Harlequins’ ninth victory of the season. Man of the match Kelly ended with six goals from seven kicks.

Quins face champions elect Illingworth A at Burgess Fields on Saturday (2.30pm).