Wath Brow Hornets sweep aside Rochdale to stay top

Morgan McCourt on his way for a try for Wath Brow. Pic Elwyn Evans.

Wath Brow Hornets swept aside Rochdale Mayfield to stay top of the National Conference Premier Division.

It finished 48-0 to the Cumbrians and with Thatto Heath beaten at home by Lock Lane, they share the lead with just West Hull now.

After four games they are the only two unbeaten sides in the Premier Division, although both have a draw on their record.

Ian Rooney’s men led 16-0 at the break and pulled well clear in the second half.

Wath Brow’s Peter Caddy battles through a tackle. Picture: Elwyn Evans.

Daniel Burns, Clark Riley and Peter Caddy scored tries in the first half, two of which were converted by Cole Walker-Taylor.

It was virtually one-way traffic in the second half, despite an eye-catching effort from Mayfield’s man of the match Darcy Moroske.

Morgan McCourt and Ellison Holgate each scored twice and there were other touchdowns for Connor Molyneux and Walker-Taylor. There were three more goals for Walker-Taylor.

Connor Molyneux on his way to the try line. Picture: Elwyn Evans

There was a tense finish at Egremont where the Rangers held on to beat York Acorn 26-24.

They had seemed comfortable with a 20-6 lead early into the second half, but Acorn did the majority of the scoring after that.

The hosts were never behind and had established a 16-6 lead by half-time.

Leon Crellin led the scoring with a hat-trick of tries with Aaron Turnbull and Sam Appleby also touching down. Matt Bewsher (2) and Joe Bold kicked goals.

There was a dramatic finish when Acorn scored a converted try two minutes from the end.

In addition, there was controversy when an Acorn player was put on report for allegedly biting Egremont’s Pat Wells.

Kells were in contention at Wigan St, Patrick’s until the 49^th minute when they had Tony Burns sent off for an alleged high tackle.

In the end, it proved costly as they went down 36-6, conceding 22 unanswered points after Burns’ red card.

It had been 14-6 at half-time with Ross Ainley scoring the Kells try, converted by Ryan Starkie.

In Division Two Barrow Island made it three wins from four games with a hard-fought 26-24 home win over Heworth.

A penalty by Adam Jackson six minutes from the end proved to be the winning score for the south Cumbrians.

Dan Wright (2), Jake Stockdale and Blain Marwood scored tries for the Islanders. Jackson finished with five goals.

Seaton Rangers bounced back after their mauling by Division Three leaders East Leeds and beat Leigh East 38-12.

They were leading 20-6 and heading for victory when the visitors had Anthony Nicolls sent off on 68 minutes for alleged punching.

The win was sealed with two converted tries in the last six minutes.

Winter recruit from Glasson Rangers, Gary Taylor, scored two tries and was followed over by Jordan O’Leary, Jon Carl Bryan, Lewis Mason and Mark Surtees. Dom Smallwood finished with seven goals.Hensingham v Millom was postponed because of the Whitehaven game against St. Helens and will be played in June.