South Lancs/Cheshire One
Wilmslow Wolves 28
Rochdale 10

WILMSLOW turned a Hallowe'en nightmare into a sparkling firework display that toppled Rochdale and keeps the Wolves firmly at the top of the table.

The unbeaten Wolves set off like a damp squib against the visiting title contenders, allowing them to build a 10-point lead in as many minutes.

One of the biggest crowds at Pownall Park in a long time was left wondering if the Wilmslow bubble had burst, until full-back Tim Medwell burst into the line, shattered the Rochdale defence and put winger Rich Wood in for a dazzling try.

He lit the blue touchpaper on a party pack of fireworks. It was Medwell himself who followed it up with a cracker of a drop goal, slotting a missed touch clearance between the posts from fully 35 metres and wide out.

It was the wake-up call player coach Steve Mannion had been demanding since the start and galvanised a Wilmslow revival that never looked back.

Bob McCallum's penalty was followed up by tries from Steve Braddock and Chris Jones in the second period, with McCallum also adding a converison and a drop goal.

With Leigh and Vagabonds also losing, Wilmslow are now three points clear of second-placed Broughton Park, who entered the title reckoning with a win over the Isle of Man side.

On Saturday the Wolves face their sternest test yet, when they take on unbeaten Huddersfield, who lead North Two East, at Pownall Park in the third round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup (kick-off 2.30pm).

The Second Team lost 43-5 at Birkenhead Park, missing the chance to go top of their league. The Third Team won 25-8, with three tries for skipper Colin McKevitt.

Player coach Steve Mannion had feared complacency following the previous week's victory in the quagmire at Leigh and prepared accordingly.

"The preparation was great. We were very concerned about the 'after the Lord Mayor's show' factor following the win at Leigh.

"I was very firm about this beforehand and was proved right when they went 10-0 up. But we needed that kick up the backside to get going.

But he warned again against complacency: "Being on top of the league is the best place to be, but also one of the hardest. We have got to be more hungry for the ball and be determined to improve even more."