Liverpool St Helens faced a tough task on their return to Level 6 rugby after a gap of almost sixteen years when travelling to last year’s runners-up in Regional 2 North West, Bowdon.

They were beaten 49-22, after a first half baptism of fire that saw them trail 28–3 at half time.

However, in perhaps a sign of things to come, they responded in determined fashion to produce a much improved second half, winning majority possession and registering three tries.

A frantic first half saw LSH bossing the first five minutes or so before going ahead with a Matty Wood penalty, 0-3.

Sadly that was as good as it got when the home side launched a catch and drive to steamroller over just three minutes later 7-3.

This was followed by three more Bowdon tries, all run from distance and all converted for a 28-3 half time lead.

And then, with one or two of the travelling Moss Lane faithful preferring to seek solace in the well-appointed Bowdon Clubhouse, in which the LSH officialdom had been royally entertained and fed pre match, we scored.

A good attack was followed by an excellent catch and drive of our own before hooker Connor Glynn touched down.

This was followed five minutes later by a debut try from utility back Jack Kennedy, finishing off a series of advances by a now rejuvenated pack. This time Wood converted for a 28-15 scoreline.

LSH continued to hold their own with sterling contributions from new prop Tony Hudson and from Adam Gore and John Arnold, both playing for the first time in over a year, leading the way for the younger members of the pack to follow.

Unfortunately though a few defensive errors crept in, and were capitalised on by a quicker Bowdon outfit to register two more tries to make it 42-15 after 70 minutes.

LSH were not done yet and a backs move led to new recruit Jake Pagan racing through a gap in the Bowdon defence to score under the posts for the third try, converted, 42-22, before the Cheshire outfit emphasised their superiority with a late score to make it 49-22.

Next Week LSH are at home to Crewe and Nantwich Kick off 3pm.