The visitors had to recover from a 17-7 half time deficit but a gritty second half show saw them storm back and hold on for a narrow triumph they just about deserved.

On a pitch which was surprisingly firm considering the heavy rain, Rishworthians were boosted by the late inclusion of James Clarke when the cricket match he was committed to play in was cancelled.

And he made an immediate impact, storming over for a try in the fifth minute following a maul 10 metres from the Pythons line, with Luke Flanagan, who proved an excellent replacement for the injured Jamie Bloem, knocking over the conversion.

But the home side started to win more ball and levelled when left winger John Stephens scored a converted try.

The Copley men could not win enough good possession even though the front row of Martin Brook, David Morris and Simon Edmundson had the upper hand in the scrums, and after Clarke was yellow carded following a case of mistaken identity, Pythons converted the penalty to go ahead.

Stephens then extended the lead with his second converted try to make it 17-7 at the break.

Rishworthians brought on club captain Gary Morris in the second half, replacing James Kidd, and the team talk by coaches Bloem and John Clough had the desired effect as they took command after the break.

Morris was beginning to dictate play and Tom Clough was running well with the ball, and the pressure eventually paid off when Chris Flanagan sidestepped over for a try near the posts which was converted by his brother Luke.

A rare home breakaway almost yielded a try only for a tackle by Morris to save the day, but Rishworthians continued to press and the introduction of Anthony Shoesmith and Lee Atkinson with 10 minutes remaining proved the deciding factor.

Almost immediately, Shoesmith received the ball on the opposition 10 metre line and went over for what proved to be the winning try.

Clarke and winger Nick Faulkner combined well and almost scored again only for the ball to be knocked on five metres from the line, but it did not matter as the visitors held to book their place in the next round.