National Conference League Round-up

Correspondent

Premier Division round-up

SIDDAL moved to within a point of fourth-placed WATH BROW HORNETS after edging past the Cumbrian’s 19-16.

Tries from Craig Sanderson, Tom Garratt and Emmerson Newburn – all goaled by Gareth Blackburn – had put the Halifax hosts in control, with the champions only response in the first period coming via a Karl Dixon touchdown and the first of Scott Pink’s two goals.

Jason Connery crossed for the opening points of the second period as the visitors cut the gap, before a field-goal from Chris Brooke helped Siddal halt the champions fight back.

With the clock tiching down Pink improved an effort from Dave Pettit but it proved to be too little too late as the home side hung on.

EGREMONT RANGERS produced a great defensive effort as they saw off YORK ACORN 26-0.

Relegation threatened Acorn were only 6-0 behind at half-time after Jack Stainton crossed and John Paul Brocklebank landed the first of his three goals.

However, once Lewis Beckwith claimed Rangers second try just two minutes after the re-start – which Brocklebank again improved – the writing was on the wall.

Brocklebank and Stainton – with his second – increased Egremont’s advantage before a late touchdown from Matty Palmer completed the job.

WIGAN ST PATRICKS kept their play-off hopes alive with a 34-12 win at HULL DOCKERS.

There were two try showings from Liam Gannon and Brad Hargreaves, with Anthony Atherton, Brad Smith – who also kicked four goals – also crossing. Joe Prior added another conversion.

Dockers – who look set for a mid-table finish – managed a try in each through Danny Patrick and Gareth Moore, both of which were converted by Chris Stephenson.

There were plenty of points as INCE ROSE BRIDGE beat MYTON WARRIORS 52-32.

There was little to choose between the two sides as the game entered the final quarter, before Ince cut loose in the final stages to claim a vital two points in their fight to avoid the drop.

Jamie Malone and Connor Matthews shone for the home side with a brace apiece, whist other Ince players to cross the whitewash were Adam Jones, Martin Greaves, David Hoctor, Kieran Eccleston and Kieran Malone, as Adam Dwyer added eight goals.

Myton – who remain bottom and in serious trouble – had winger Lee James in top form as he claimed a hat-trick.

Kris Walker – a try and four goals – was also a constant threat whilst Ryan Walker and Jack Tuttle also posted tries.

LOCK LANE kept the pressure on at the top of the table with a 56-24 victory at LEIGH MINERS RANGERS.

Nathan Fozzard had a good afternoon with the boot as he slotted over eight goals to help the Castleford side to win number sixteen of the season.

James Cryer (2), Chris Siddons, Jordan Siddons, Robbie Mawson, Tom Wood, Joe Firth, Steve Scott, Joe Burton and Luke Tagg were the men to touchdown.

Miners – who face a huge task of making the top-six – were in the game for long periods but eventually succumbed to a late scoring burst.

Full-back Jonny Youds booted four goals to compliment a brace from Mark Nicholson and efforts from Scott O’Brien and Luke Warburton.

SKIRLAUGH eased their relegation fears with a 34-20 derby success over EAST HULL.

The home side ran in six tries whilst five goals from the boot of Ross Kemp eased them to the two points.

Lee Nobbs, Simon Kilby, Jed Carter, Tom Saltmer, Scott Mountain and Stuart Smith were the men to cross the line, with Easts replying via Craig Todd (2) and Matthew Spenceley. Carl Puckering chipped in with four goals.

WEST HULL remain in their hunt for the minor premiership following a stunning 31-28 win over leaders THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS.

The hosts opened in double-quick time with tries from Aaron Hickinbotham and Ryan Morrow both crossing as Scott Spaven kicked the first two of his eventual five goal haul.

Adam Walsh got the visitors up and running, only for Josh Hart to reply. However, a second quarter saw Jack Jones and Dave Pike touchdown with Shaun Quinn’s second goal levelling it up at 16-16 at the interval.

Matty Range gave Thatto the lead for the first time with the first score of the second half – as Quinn again improved matters – but Wests roared back with converted tries to Louis Crowther and Matt Plummer seen them re-take control.

Quinn pegged the hosts back with a converted try 14 minutes from time but Wests had the final say with a Spaven field-goal completing the scoring.

Saturday September 7

Egremont Rangers 26 v 0 York Acorn
Hull Dockers 12 v 34 Wigan St Patricks
Ince Rose Bridge 52 v 32 Myton Warriors
Leigh Miners Rangers 24 v 56 Lock Lane
Siddal 19 v 16 Wath Brow Hornets
Skirlaugh 34 v 20 East Hull
West Hull 31 v 28 Thatto Heath Crusaders

 

Division One round-up

EAST LEEDS strengthened their position at the summit of Division One with a superb 54-14 win over second-placed WIGAN ST JUDES.

The contest was expected to be a closely fought but the home side turned in an outstanding 10-try display to put themselves in pole position for the title.

Jordan Normington, Luke Tomlinson and Ryan Gaunt all grabbed a brace for a home side that led 24-0 at half-time.

Joey Walkin, Nathan Conroy and Lee Fisher also got in on the act whilst Conroy’s nine goals eased his side past the half-century mark.

St Judes – who now trail Easts by two points with three-games remaining – managed consolation efforts from Dan Holmes, Dave Carney and Barry Rothwell, one of which Gareth Thomas improved.

BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL cruised to a 38-10 win in their West Yorkshire derby with DEWSBURY CELTIC.

Nathan Kitson was again amongst the points with a try and three goals, whilst Damian Smith (2), Sam Broadley, Neil Wall, Lewis Birkenshaw and Aiden Batey also helped themselves to four-pointers.

Celtic replied with a Nikki Crabtree conversion and tries to Liam Riley and Tom Kilroy.

HUNSLET WARRIORS kept their promotion push on course but only after being pushed hard by relegation threatened SADDLEWORTH RANGERS.

The Warriors eventually edged home 20-8 but had to shake off a determined Rangers outfit that were level at 8-8 during the opening exchanges of the second period.

A Tom Robinson try and two goals from Michael Coates kept the visitors in the mix, but Hunslet eventually wore them down.

Chris Hartley (2), Richard Wheelhouse and Gary McClelland provided the home sides touchdowns with McClelland adding a couple of conversions.

OULTON RAIDERS powered to a 60-10 win over ECCLES.

Tommy Griffiths played a leading role with his hat-trick and he was closely followed by two-try Scott MacDonald.

Jamie Benn (6) and Danny Stanley (4) added the extras as Stanley, Danny Hardy, Nathan Batty, James Cruickshank and Sasch Brook also joined in.

Eccles returned to their Manchester base with just tries to Christian Higgins and Marc Jones – plus a Mike Carney goal – to show for their efforts.

ROCHDALE MAYFIELD secured a tenth straight win with their 40-20 over MILFORD MARLINS keeping them well in the promotion hunt.

Mayfield’s latest success means they move fourth – just a point behind the top-three – and also means the Marlins hopes of playing in the top-flight will have to wait at least another year.

Lewis Sheridan’s 20-point haul – two tries and six goals – played a huge part in the win, as Paul Brearley (2), Sam Butterworth, Matt Calland and Joe Quanici all touched down.

Milford – who actually led 14-8 at the break – had try scorers in the form of James Barker, Arron Jones-Bishop and Adam Fairhead. Martin Loveridge landed four goals.

STANLEY RANGERS claimed just their third win of the season thanks to a 40-16 triumph over MILLOM.

Thomas Newbegin and Chris Warren (2) crossed for the Cumbrian visitors with Warren also adding a couple of goals in defeat.

However, it was never going to be enough to stop a rampant home side that had raced into a 30-0 by half-time.

Paul Hughes led the way with a hat-trick and Mufaro Mvududu crossed twice in what surely must be Stanley’s best performance of the season.

Danny Grice – who also booted six goals – and Jacky Hogan also crossed to cap a great team effort.

Saturday September 7

Bradford Dudley Hill 38 v 10 Dewsbury Celtic
East Leeds 54 v 14 Wigan St Judes
Hunslet Warriors 20 v 8 Saddleworth Rangers
Oulton Raiders 60 v 10 Eccles
Rochdale Mayfield 40 v 20 Milford Marlins
Stanley Rangers 40 v 16 Millom

 

Division Two round-up

STANNINGLEY did just enough to get past fellow strugglers CASTLEFORD PANTHERS 32-28.

The visitors trailed 28-22 with just two minutes to go but pulled off the win thanks to late tries from Lewis Jones and Josh Roberts, plus the second of Sean Cooper’s conversions.

Earlier a hat-trick from Tom Sharpe and efforts from Liam Chadwick and Matthew Brook had kept Stanningley in the contest.

The Panthers – who led 18-10 at the break – crossed for five tries of their own through Jimmy Clarkson – who also added four goals – Carl Burke, Steve Gill, Danny Moxon and Craig Savage.

ELLAND beat bottom side EASTMOOR DRAGONS 40-20.

Oliver Fairbank – with two tries – and Cayci Pearson – a try and six goals – played leading roles for the home side who also had try scorers in the shape of Richard Crawshaw, David Webb, Chris Middleton and Kyle Fisher.

The Dragons replied through Ashley Allman, Shaun Upton, Darren Fisher and John Talbot. Jamie Dodds kicked a couple of conversions.

A late touchdown from winger Ian Jolly – goaled by Tom Worthington – helped LEIGH EAST beat OVENDEN 32-28.

The home side had earlier opened up a 26-4 lead before Ovenden hit back to lead 28-26 with just three minutes left on the clock.

Gavin Hunter, Ryan Holcroft, Nicky Ratcliffe, Sam Grainey and Andy Bell had helped built up Leigh’s advantage, before the visitors fight back included tries from James Wilder (2), Jason Dodd, Reece Ogden and Dean Robertshaw.

Luke O’Mara tagged on four conversions in defeat, whilst Tom Worthington matched him for the victors. 

Saturday September 7

Castleford Panthers 28 v 32 Stanningley
Elland 40 v 20 Eastmoor Dragons
Leigh East 32 v 28 Ovenden

 

Division Three round-up

KELLS remain in control of their destiny in Division Three following a 30-14 win at WOOLSTON ROVERS.

The Cumbrian’s opened up an 18-0 half-time lead and closed with tries to Ross Ainley, Sean Fitzsimmons, Alan McGuiness, Tyrone Dalton and Tony Burns. Ryan Robb (4) and Dominic Wear added the extras.

Tom Keevil, James Rosson and Christian Taylor replied for Rovers with Daniel O’Brien landing a conversion.

Second-placed UNDERBANK RANGERS were far too good for WIGAN ST CUTHBERTS as they ran out 74-12 winners.

Ben Cotterill improved a brace of tries from Ryan Ashall for Wigan but that proved to be the ending of the scoring for the afternoon.

James Usher – two tries and 11 goals – was amongst the points for the hosts, whilst there was a brace each for Nathan Chappell and Matt Adam.

Andy Boothroyd, Craig Williams, Corey Noel, Courtney Allette, Will Midgley, Dan Farrand and Steve Berry also touched down for the rampant hosts.

BLACKBROOK cruised to a 70-10 success over PETERLEE PUMAS.

A 38-point haul from Steve Parkinson – five tries and nine goals – provided over half the St Helens sides points in a contest which saw them lead 44-6 at the interval.

Neil Babbs, Chris Springfield, Aaron Hewitt, Tommy Cunningham, Mark Webster, Scott Lyon, Jimmy Brown and Craig Lyon completed the scoring rout, although the Pumas did manage a try in each half through Boaing Rankin and Jack Adamson. Paul Flynn improving one of them.

COVENTRY BEARS were too good for HEWORTH as they ran out 44-10 winners.

Rich Synott and Chris Barrett both scored twice and Steve Coleman landed six conversions to make it a good afternoon for the midlands side.

Greg Moore, Alex Brown, Tawanda Chipadza and George Carlton completed the Bears scorers list as they hit back from conceding an early try to Chris Varley which Gary Watkinson converted.

Adam Whittington grabbed the other Heworth consolation effort.

PILKINGTON RECS continued their push for promotion with a huge 80-24 win over FEATHERSTONE LIONS.

The Lions points came via four Richard Frankland goals and tries to Anthony Yates (2), George Nuttall and Jack Nicholson.

However, it was never going to be enough to halt a Pilks side that ran in 14 tries by the end of proceedings.

Ste Charlson and Liam Bostock both scored twice and Andrew Knapper racked up more points thanks to a try and 10 goals.

Ryan Hilliard – a try and two goals – also contributed whilst there were other try scorers in Jono Peers, Mark Ashton, Phil Henry, Richard Rafferty, Dave Flynn, Josh Lynch, Danny Halsall and Ben Gravener.

Saturday September 7

Blackbrook 70 v 10 Peterlee Pumas
Coventry Bears 44 v 10 Heworth
Pilkington Recs 80 v 24 Featherstone Lions
Underbank Rangers 74 v 12 Wigan St Cuthberts
Woolston Rovers 14 v 30 Kells