Vagabonds blow hot on cold day

Despite an 11th hour venue switch to the Mooragh Park, Vagabonds overcame Hoylake 29-12 in South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One in bitterly cold weather.

A Leigh Kennaugh penalty in the sixth minute put Vagas 3-0 up and tries from Jamie Cooke and Jake Coates, plus a Kennaugh conversion, gave them a 15 point advantage at the break.

In the second half, Hoylake staged a mini revival and right wing Matt O’Hanlon’s try reduced the lead to 15-5.

Vagas found another gear, however, and tries from Akkie van der Berg and Sam Brennan, both converted by Kennaugh , sealed the game for them.

Matt McLaren bagged a late consolation score for the visitors which was converted by skipper Steve Young.