Kingstone Press Cider National Conference League round-up
PREMIER DIVISION
Reigning champions WEST HULL retained their top-flight status with a superb 18-6 victory at WATH BROW HORNETS.
The last round win by the Green & Golds has condemned East Leeds to the drop, with the West Yorkshire side having an inferior points difference to Egremont Rangers, Wests and Lock Lane.
Defeat for the Hornets means that they finished fifth and will head to Wigan St Patricks in the play-offs.
Full-back Brett Turner gave the visitors a flying start with a fifth minute try and then doubled their advantage when he crossed again on the half-hour mark to give his side an 8-0 half-time lead.
Forwards Scott Howlett and Jack Watts both crashed over in a six-minute spell just before the hour-mark to extend Wests advantage, with stand-half Ian Kerman’s conversion making the game safe.
The home sides only success of the afternoon came late on when stand-off Fran King improved centre Luke Davison’s touchdown five minutes from time.
Despite being already relegated THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS bowed out on a high with a 24-22 home win over league leaders LEIGH MINERS RANGERS.
Centre Darren Woods opened and closed the try scoring for Thatto, who also had try scorers in the shape of scrum-half Daniel Wakefield and sub Steven Woods.
Full-back Shaun Quinn and stand-off Tom Rigby both added two goals for a home side that actually trailed 12-10 at the break.
Miners – who had already secured a top-spot finish – remained in the contest throughout thanks to a two-try display from centre Brad Hargreaves, efforts from winger Gareth Paine and scrum-half Shaun Dowie, plus three goals from the boot of stand-off Johnny Youds.
Loose-forward Joe Quanici crossed for a hat-trick as ROCHDALE MAYFIELD saw off WATH BROW HORNETS 23-6 in their mid-week encounter.
The hosts go into the play-offs against Hull Dockers after finishing third, with their final regular season win also seen a try by sub Campbell-Paul and three goals and a field goal from scrum-half Sam Butterworth.
The Hornets – who were 6-0 behind at the interval – finally opened their account when hooker Cole Walker-Taylor improved sub Aiden Coulthard’s effort 13 minutes from time to make it 13-6.
However, the hosts finished the stronger and go into the play-offs on a three-game winning run.
Wednesday October 7
Rochdale Mayfield 23 v 6 Wath Brow Hornets
Saturday October 10
Wath Brow Hornets 6 v 18 West Hull
Thatto Heath Crusaders 24 v 22 Leigh Miners Rangers
DIVISION TWO
MILLOM secured the Division Two title with a 49-24 victory at OLDHAM ST ANNES.
The visitors were 18-0 ahead after just 11 minutes thanks to scrum-half Adam Kelly improving efforts from hooker Marcus O’Brien, loose-forward Tom Sibley and second-rower Warwick Carter.
Despite already having their relegation confirmed St Annes battled back and were rewarded when Ryan Dalton went over and Greg Worrall added the extras, although centre Chris Warren touched down and Kelly added another conversion and field-goal to make it 25-6 to the champions-elect at the break.
The home side added second half touchdowns from Chris Carter –goaled by Kelly – Jonny Kelly, Sam Akeroyd and Michael Smith, but could not contain the visiting Cumbrians enough.
O’Brien and Carter both grabbed their second tries of the afternoon after the break, whilst Anthony Dixon and Ricky Donoghue also joined in the try scoring.
Kelly finished with seven goals to his name, whilst veteran Paul Evans started the celebration party with the final penalty.
Saturday October 10
Oldham St Annes 24 v 49 Millom