Moor’s closest league rivals came into this cup-tie determined to show that they were not second best and for most of the first half, came close to proving their case. All the early pressure came from Burnley’s larger pack, taking the lead with a penalty after 5 minutes. Moor hit back with a Martin Shelley penalty, the same player putting the home side ahead with an excellent try on the quarter-hour. With the visitors expecting a conventional back move, Shelley cut through from the 22 to outpace the cover defence for a try in the corner. With an 8-3 lead Moor had to withstand considerable pressure for the remaining 20 minutes as they had 2 players yellow-carded for technical offences. To their great credit, the home defence kept the visitors at bay, Burnley’s only points coming from a penalty just before half-time.

Turning around 8-6 ahead, Moor virtually made the game safe with an opening 10-minute blitz that produced 15 points. A Shelley penalty in the 2^nd minute was quickly followed by a try from speedy full back, Martin Snidal, who gathered his own kick ahead just inside his own half to outpace the Burnley defence for a try, which Shelley converted. From the re-start, Moor drove up-field before putting the ball out to their backs where Shelley again split the defence with a 40 metre curving run to the corner. Burnley rallied to narrow the gap with a close range try by their pack, but 2 long-range penalties by Shelley in the next 5 minutes put Moor 29-11 ahead. With a few minutes remaining, Burnley took late consolation as they barged their way over for the final score.

Moor’s progress to the semi-final, where they meet Ormskirk, was thanks to resolute defence and an outstanding attacking performance by MOM Martin Shelley. This result makes it 17 consecutive wins for the 1^st XV, a club record, beating the run of 13 made 3 years ago when they won the North Lancashire 1 title.

Not to be outdone, Moor 2^nds made it to the final of the Halbro Shield competition with a close 20-17 victory over a Sefton side who top their league, having only lost only 2 games prior to this match.