In blistering conditions, Blackpool Sea Eagles turned in a courageous battling performance as they went down 58 – 4 away to Lancashire rivals Burnley & Pendle. Injury and unavailability had already left Blackpool without a host of players, with forced late withdrawals leaving the seaside club to travel with only a bare thirteen including handing a début to prop Stuart Joyce.

Blackpool got off to a great start winning the ball back from the kick off and almost scoring on the first set as strong runs from Adam Lancaster and Nick Marsden carried the team within touching distance of the Burnley line, with only a loose final pass preventing the visitors from touching down. The hosts made the most of this reprieve and within a minute had established a lead they would never surrender as break from deep resulted in a converted try for the right centre.

Despite this early setback the Sea Eagles battled back strongly with powerful runs from Martin Walls and Tom Sanderson creating the platform for hooker Luke Crosbie to dart for the whitewash with only a terrific last ditch tackle and a few blades of grass denying the Blackpool a try. At the other end some great scrambling defence, typified by the efforts of Darren Hardy-Dearness and Kurt Gledhill amongst others, prevented the home side from extending their lead further until two quick fire breakaway scores handed Burnley an 18 – 0 advantage.

The visitors to their credit did not give in and continued to create chances with strong drives from Andy Smith and Chance Bonham laying the groundwork for Antony Clark to jink through the defence before being dragged down agonisingly short .With a lack of replacements and the soaring temperatures, fatigue naturally began to take it's toll on Blackpool with the hosts taking full advantage as they crossed for three further scores to build a commanding 34 – 0 lead at the break.

In a show of great sportsmanship the Burnley side kindly lent Blackpool three replacements for the second half, which began well for the visitors as they attacked the hosts tryline with a renewed vigour with only more last ditch tackling keeping the Sea Eagles at bay. Another long range try from Burnley brought up the 40 point mark, with injuries also hitting Blackpool as Clark and Lancaster where forced off with the former unable to return.

Two quick fire tries from the hosts saw them pass the half century, before strong running from Jason King and Aaron Hargreaves provided the impetus for Smith to come within millimetres of breaking the visitors duck with a powerful carry. Burnley posted another converted try before Blackpool got just rewards fro their hard work and effort with the last play of the game as Steve Kent forced his way over from close range for a final scoreline of 58 – 4.

In spite of the final scoreline, Blackpool could be proud of the guts, determination and never say die attitude that was on show from each and every player in what is a season of development and growth for the relaunched Sea Eagles.

Team: 1. Tom Sanderson 2. Chance Bonham 3. Aaron Hargreaves 4. Martin Walls 5. Darren Hardy-Dearness 6. Antony Clark 7. Kurt Gledhill 8. Stuart Joyce 9. Luke Crosbie 10. Adam Lancaster 11. Jason King 12. Nick Marsden 13. Andy Smith

Blackpool Sea Eagles

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