WESTHOUGHTON Lions Under-10s showed their battling qualities when they roared back to beat Woolston Golds 34-16.

The Lions and Golds had already been involved in some real cliffhangers this season and their latest encounter provided not different after Woolston took a 16-12 lead into the break.

Jacob Lovett's powerful run and try, converted by Sam Dixon, handed Westhoughton and early advantage.

But the Lions' try seemed to energize Woolston and a hard-running set put them on the home line before a quick play from their dummy half brought them four points.

Both teams were ripped into each other but their defences stood firm until Dixon's pass hit Dan White running a great lead line to crash in under the sticks and Lovett added the extras.

The Lions failed to learn their lesson, conceding almost immediately after failing to control the speed of the game as the Woolston players stepped up their attack.

A Golds kick forced the Lions into a mistake to give them a great field position and another run from their dummy half caught out a sleeping defence.

Westhoughton's young players sufferered a long run of failed sets, which handed momentum to the visitors, who took advantage of another good kick to brush the Lions defenders aside and head into half time with a four-point lead.

While the Lions where not playing poorly, they were giving the Golds too much possession and field position, and were getting punished.

But a much-improved second-half display blew their opponents away.

Westhoughton came out brightly and put in a good set of flowing rugby, which ended with Ben Grindley-Roberts bursting over their line.

The kick was missed to leave the scores level.

Lions managed to break the pattern of the first half, which invariably led to Golds following up a Westhoughton try with one of their own.

Woolston threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Lions in their next set but the they held firm and instead managed to add to their tally.

A great break from man of the match Cooper Bainbridge put the Lions on the front foot and Zak Taylor capitalised to jink his way over on the left. Dan White added the two extras.

After taking the game by the scruff of the neck Westhoughton quickly crossed for another score as Dixon completed a cracking solo effort to earn just reward for his good all-round play. Josh Thompson kicked the conversion.

Woolston contained the Lions for a few sets before a break on the left edge started a sweeping move that included seven Westhoughton players.

Some great support runs and even better handling was foiled by a rearguard action from the Golds, but their attack was not stalled for long before Grindley-Roberts created enough space to dash over the line and Sammy Croughan added the two points to seal the win.

The visitors once more managed to wrestle themselves back into the match but despite a solid kicking game and some great creative attacks they just could not seem to find that chink in the Lions' armour that would allow them to add to their points tally.

But their improved defence also ensured the Lions did not add to their score either, leaving two very tired to see out the match.