Big guns open up in the North

(Daily Mail Under 18 Cup)

There were a couple of shocks for the seeds coming into the third round inthe north - Manchester Grammar and Birkenhead - but overall the usualsuspects are still heading for TwickenhamManchester went down 13-8 at Rossall.

Samoan fly half Josh Keil was thearchitect of Rossall's successwith a controlled kicking performance whilelock Peter Jackson dominated the line-out to keep Keil supplied withgenerous ammunition.

Josh Mortimer crossed for the home side with Keillanding two penalties and a conversion.

With a player of Neil Hunter's calibre at fly half, Merchant Taylors arebound to be a force and took the first hurdle in style beating CaldayGrange 20-0 at Crosby. Hunter converted tries from Jonathan Powell andMatthew Boyd and kicked two penalties as Merchant's took control in thefirst half and then applied themselves to defensive duties when Caldayexerted the inevitable pressure.

Merchants now entertain Lymm High School,beaten at Twiceknham in the Vase Final last season.

Lymm are lookingpowerful again and David Strettle led a nine-try romp against OrmskirkGrammar with a hat-trick. But Luke Worseley bagged the biggest points haulwith 17 points from atry and six conversions inthe 57-7 win.