Wath Brow have had something of an indifferent season back in fifth place in the National Conference’s Premier Division.
They are some 12 points behind top side West Hull who have just clinched the League Leaders Trophy with Saturday’s 16-8 win over nearest challengers Hunslet Club Parkside.
But Hornets showed on Saturday they can still have in impact on the season as it enters the closing stages.
They hosted top four rivals Thatto Heath Crusaders and in a thrilling, topsy turvy game eventually came out on top 32-25.
With eight minutes left Wath Brow trailed 25-24 after they had led 24-16 early in the second-half.
A Sam Curwen penalty edged them in front again and two minutes from time Dean Rooney nipped in for a try which Curwen’s conversion turned into the winning score.
Wath Brow had led 18-16 at half-time with tries from Jake Pearce, Callum Farrer and Connor Molyneux, all converted by Curwen. Greg Dawson added the fourth after the re-start and again Curwen improved.
Thatto had stayed in the contest and when they nosed in front with a Ben Heyes field goal would have fancied their chances of holding on – but instead slipped to their third successive defeat.
Egremont Rangers are now officially relegated after suffering an horrendous 98-4 defeat at Lock Lane – their heaviest defeat in the National Conference.
It was 42-0 at half-time and when Sean Mumberson went over for an unconverted Egremont try on the hour they had been looking at a 64-0 deficit. The Castleford side signed off with 17 tries, 15 of which were converted by Nick Fozzard.
In League One it’s looking increasingly likely that Kells will go up and replace their West Cumbrian neighbours in the top flight.
They lead Hull Dockers on points differential with three games to go after the latest 50-0 home win against the bottom club Milford.
They had established a 24-0 lead by the break and were never seriously troubled by a Milford side who have only won once so far this season and will be playing in League Two next time.
Former Whitehaven winger Jordan Burns went in for a couple and there were other touchdowns for Lewis Smith, Jake Parker, Aaron Burns, Scott Lofthouse, Harley Nelson, Mason Lewthwaite and Harry Watson.
Ross Gainford kicked six goals and Grant Gainford added a seventh.
In Division Two Barrow Island are still in the promotion mix although the title now looks beyond them.
They stay second, seven points behind champions elect Heworth, after a 24-12 home win over Dewsbury Moor Maroons.
The Islanders had won 40-16 earlier in the season at Dewsbury but entering the final quarter were still all square at 12-12.
Late tries from Blain Marwood and Max Anderson-Moore, both converted by Adam Jackson saw the hosts through to the win.
Earlier tries from Anderson-Moore and Jake Stockdale, converted by Jackson, had helped the Islanders into a 12-6 interval lead.
Best performance in Division Three came at Shaw Cross where the Sharks were beaten by Seaton Rangers 18-16 to complete a double for the Cumbrians.
It was three tries apiece but in the end Dominic Smallwood’s three conversions proved decisive as the Sharks kicker missed two touchline conversion attempts.
Ellis Nixon, Levi Wallbanks and Tom Curwen scored the Seaton tries after a very tight, competitive game which had been all square 6-6 at half time.
Hensingham are still in re-election trouble next to bottom after going down 44-6 at Oldham St Anne’s.
They were still in it at half-time, although trailing 16-6 after Devan Sharp touched down just before the break and Noel Branthwaite added the conversion.
Millom’s mid-season revival has been checked recently and they went down again, beaten 22-18 at Leigh East.
It was a disappointing end for the Woollybanks who had led 12-6 at half-time but couldn’t sustain it.
Tom Sibley (2) and Ethan Kelly scored the Millom tries with Jack Newbegin landing three goals.
