Wath Brow Hornets opened up the battle for the National Conference Premier Division crown when they beat leaders Hunslet Amateurs 26-12.
It was Hunslet’s second successive defeat after an unbeaten eight-match start to the season with Rochdale Mayfield, their other conquerors a fortnight ago, now in serious contention.
Mayfield, who won 46-6 at bottom side Leigh Miners Rangers, have already won at Wath Brow and if they win their two games in hand will go top.
They are involved in the Premier Division’s only fixture at the weekend at Thatto Heath Crusaders.
Wath Brow were deserving 26-12 winners, putting in a strong second-half shift after they had seen a 14-0 lead pegged back to 14-12 by the interval.
But a try from Cole Walker-Taylor two minutes into the second-half halted Hunslet’s charge and Wath Brow stood firm, not conceding another point in the game.
Stand-off Fran King was the driving force for Wath Brow with a man of the match performance, orchestrating the Hornets attack as they took control the longer the game went. Hunslet’s big and tough forwards seemed to tire in the hot conditions.
The Brow had made a great start with a try on two minutes from Sam Curwen and Walker-Taylor added a second three minutes later. Hunslet were still on the bus it seemed and on 14 minutes they were in more trouble when Morgan McCourt finished off a great break by King. Curwen converted for a 14-0 lead in as many minutes.
Gradually Hunslet cleared their heads and two converted tries by full-back Craig McShane and centre Jake Dearden got them right back into the contest.
That recovery was stifled by Walker-Taylor’s 42nd minute try, converted by Curwen and the points were virtually wrapped-up on the hour when home centre Greg Howland sliced through for the Hornets’ fifth try which Curwen improved.
Kells travelled to Humberside for the second week in a row and were beaten 18-10 by Hull Dockers, who accompanied them into the top flight last season.
The Do0ckers had taken an early lead with a converted try before Kells came back and Ryan Watson went over for a try which wasn’t improved.
Two quick tries, both converted, gave the Dockers an 18-4 advantage before Kells hit back before half-time with a try from Jack Ainley which Ross Gainford converted.
Despite the hot, strength-sapping conditions, it didn’t contribute to any serious lessening of tenacity and commitment with no more points scored as the respective defences proved resistant to anything thrown at either of them.
Egremont Rangers continued their fine run of form in Division One and are up to third in the table after a 44-6 win over Skirlaugh – who had started the day in that position.
After their long trek from Humberside, the Skirlaugh side hardly looked affected as they went ahead on nine minutes with a converted tries. But those proved to be their only points in the game.
It was a tough, hard-fought first half and at half time Egremont had fashioned a 10-6 lead with tries from Mitch Edwards and John-Paul Brocklebank, one converted by Kris Tyson.
But after Sam Appleby had scored two tries inside the first five minutes of the second-half, Egremont took charge and simply blew Skirlaugh away. Tyson scored the fifth try and in the final quarter the impressive Aaron Turnbull grabbed himself a hat-trick. Tyson finished with six goals.
In Division Two Barrow Island made an encouraging start against Shaw Cross Sharks with an early try on 15 minutes by Jack Sutherland, converted by Sam Jones.
But that was as good as it got for the Islanders as the Sharks devoured them in the second-half to win 38-6.
It was a familiar story for the four Cumbrian teams in Division Three – wins for Ellenborough and Millom, but defeats for Hensingham and Seaton.
However there was a notable performance from Seaton stalwart Andy McGlasson at leaders Oldham St Anne’s in their 70-8 defeat.
Despite having a suspected broken arm he bravely played on to help out the youngsters in the side as Seaton had only travelled with 13 fit players. It appears he has cracked the bone around the screws he already has in his arm.
Seaton trailed 32-4 at half-time with Joe Curwen scoring their single try and Billy Southward grabbed the second close to the end.
Ellenborough were given a good test in the first-half at home to Beverley. Paul Gorge’s men only led 12-6 at the break but were impressive after the break as they ran out 36-12 winners.
The first-half tries from Sean Mumberson and Owen Hoyles, both converted by Hoyles, had given Elbra their interval advantage.
Mumberson added a second after the change-round and was joined on the score-sheet by Gary Taylor, Niall Gray and John Todd with Hoyles adding four more goals.
Millom stayed level on points with Elbra after they beat Hensingham 46-10 after being 30-0 to the good at half-time.
The Woolybacks had increased that advantage to 40-0 before Hensingham got on the scoreboard with tries from Michael Maudling and Michael Dalton, one of which was converted by Dalton.
By then Millom were home and hosed and they finished with eight tries, seven of which were converted by Lee Postlethwaite.
The Millom tries were scored by Rio McQuistan (2), Jarty Robinson (2), Brad Crellin, Jonathan Hodgson, Amanakai Saumaki and Noah Robinson.
