Blackpool Sea Eagles returned to action after over a year away with a brave showing against a well drilled and more experienced Burnley & Pendle outfit. The Sea Eagles, playing at their new home of Blackpool RUFC, included a raft a new faces in the squad with the vast majority playing their first ever game of rugby league. The difference in experience between the two sides was quickly exposed as Burnley ran in four tries within a fifteen minute period to take a commanding 18 – 0 lead. The home side, to their credit, did not let their heads drop and steadied the ship with some fine scrambling defence from Tom Sanderson, Andy Morgan and Olly Ashton amongst others keeping the visitors at bay for over 10 minutes, before they powered over for another try to extend their advantage further.

This score sparked a renewed vigour in the Sea Eagles and they began to exert pressure of their own with prop John Robinson and fellow forward Andy Smith just pulled down short of the Burnley try-line. The hosts did not have to wait much longer however to break their duck as strong drives from Ryan Robinson and Nick Marsden created the platform for Antony Clark to take on the Burnley defence before slipping out a neat one handed offload to centre Mike McDaid who powered over under the sticks. Scrum half Luke Crosbie slotted over the conversion to narrow the gap further before a Burnley try on the stroke of half time left the game standing at 6 – 30 at the break.

The second period began in the same vein as the first had ended with Burnley touching down immediately to stretch the lead further. This score sparked Blackpool into life and they soon notched their second try of the day as great work from Jack Emery, Jason King and Martin Walls created the platform for Clark to dart over the whitewash from close range, with Crosbie adding his second goal of the afternoon. In what was becoming an end to end contest the visitors hit back with a long range score, before the Sea Eagles crossed for their third and final try as second rower Dean Bailey smashed through the Burnley defence to touch down, with Crosbie continuing his faultless display with the boot by adding the resultant conversion.

Excellent cover defence from Darren Hardy-Dearness and Chance Bonham amongst others denied the East Lancashire side on a number of occasions, however fatigue had clearly set in the final 15 minutes with Burnley running in five unanswered tries, many of them long range breakaway efforts, to run out convincing victors 68 – 18.

Despite the final scoreline the Sea Eagles could be proud of the never say die attitude, hard work and commitment on show from each and every player along with plenty of other positive aspects that can be built on as the season progresses.

Team: 1. Tom Sanderson 2. Martin Walls 3. Andy Morgan 4. Mike McDaid 5. Chance Bonham 6. Antony Clark 7. Luke Crosbie 8. Olly Ashton 9.Jack Emery 10. John Robinson 11.Nick Marsden 12. Jason King 13. Ryan Robinson

Subs: 14. Andy Smith 15. Darren Hardy-Dearness 16. Dean Bailey

Tries: Bailey, Clark, McDaid

Goals: Crosbie (3)