The visitors lost three times to Brook last season but having been bolstered by the recruitment of several players from Haydock in the close-season, including Peter Cahalin, Mark Forber and Mike Saunders, they mounted an aggressive display that was built on a well-marshalled defence.

Brook, meanwhile, paid the price for making too many errors and never fully recovered after being dominated in the early stages by their opponents' pack.

Recs took the lead after 10 minutes when stand off Mark Forber's grubber kick to the corner was fumbled by Brook's defence and winger Mike Saunders touched down.

Brook briefly rallied but superb last-ditch defence by Recs full back Mark Ashton prevented Mick Ledger from scoring after a fluent 40-yard move.

The visitors then doubled their advantage on the half hour mark when pacy centre Andy Lyons split the defence out wide and sent in winger Saunders for his brace to give Recs an 8-0 half time advantage.

Brook came out more determined for the second half and both Paul Toole and Phil Anderton went close to scoring.

Their pressure paid off when centre Andy Dobson crossed on the 55th minute, the referee allowing the try to stand despite a skirmish in back play. Toole's conversion cut Recs' lead to two points.

But John Ledger's side would not buckle and, after consecutive penalties put them camped on Brook's line, swift handling created space for the impressive Lyons to score wide out for Recs' third unconverted try.

Toole quickly reduced the arrears to four with a penalty after Brook regained possession from the kick off, but Forber restored Recs' six-point advantage after the home side were penalised for a high tackle.

Mark Lee's side did have the chance to push for a share of the points when Anderton pierced Recs' defensive line, but the supporting Ledger could not take in the scrum half's offload, leaving Recs to hang on for a deserved victory.

Lyons was Recs' Cor Developments the man-of-the match, with Saunders also in contention. Andy Dobson was selected as the Taylors taxis man-of-the-match for Brook with Martin Hardman and Mick Ledger in contention.

Pilks A 28 Glazebury 32

New look Recs were edged out at City Road despite outscoring the visitors by six tries to five. Tries came from Ant Henthorn, Jamie Smith 2, Ste Smith, Andy Parr and Terry O'Hanlan.

Man of the match was debutant Jamie Smith, followed by Danny Mason and Chris Rees