Helsby 12 Oswestry 40
HELSBY returned to action following a three-week break to take on a strong Oswestry side in a friendly.
The Shropshire side, who play two divisions above Helsby, fielded several first-team players and ran away with the win.
With a strong wind at their backs, Helsby failed to dominate the territorial battle and Oswestry were soon to break the deadlock with a converted try.
Helsby responded when Tony Mc- Kibbin crashed over and Kev Ryder converted, but Oswestry hit back by adding a brace of tries.
Phil Arkell’s unconverted try for Helsby meant they trailed 19-12 going into the break, but Oswestry were able to make the strong wind work in their favour after the restart.
The visitors scored three more converted tries and kept Helsby scoreless.
For the hosts, the returning Mark Wakefield and captain Jim Gray put in sterling performances, but man-of- the-match was winger Richie Abel.
