DEPLETED Vale of Lune crashed out of the Lancashire Trophy on a misty evening at Moss Lane as North West Two champions Liverpool St Helens defeated them for the third time this season.

A Vale side, which contained a number of young exciting players due to unavailability and injury to senior men, battled bravely until the final whistle.

But for all their efforts they struggled against a committed side.

Winger Alistair Richards ran in two tries, one in each half, both being converted by Adam Armstrong who produced an impressive performance in just his second senior outing.

On Saturday the Vale travel to Bowdon for the final league game of the season but will be without James Curran who sustained a knee injury against LSH.

Vale of Lune: J Curran, J Payne, J Bryan, N Bennetts, A Richards; A Armstrong, A Bolsover; P Jackson, D Schuyler, A Cowey; D Halliwell, M Speight; L Ford, D Lin, M Fowler. Replacements used: L Richardson, R Mudd,A Whittaker, D Birchall, M Sutcliffe. * VALE of Lune youngsters Dan Perry, Alex Cowey and Luke Ford all started for Lancashire Under 20s in the National Under 20s quarter-final against Staffordshire at Lichfield.

Sadly, they came second, losing by 40-12. Vale representation increased when Alan Whittaker and Dan Birchall came on as second half replacements.

All players did themselves and the club proud, though the defeat does end Lancashire's participation in the competition for this season.