Kells gave their survival fight a boost with a big 66-12 home win over Hull Dockers in the National Conference Premier Division.
But neighbours Wath Brow lost second spot when they were beaten in the match of the day, 30-2 at West Hull.
Kells are fourth bottom of the table but have a vital four points and a game in hand of the clubs immediately below them in the relegation zone.
They were promoted last season along with Hull Dockers and the Humberside visitors were never really in the contest, remaining second bottom and six points behind their West Cumbrian conquerors.
They had made the long trek with only three substitutes, cutting their options, and at half-time it was over as a contest as Kells enjoyed a 42-0 lead.
Peter Smith’s side finished with 12 tries which included hat-tricks by Dominic Wear and Keelan Parr and nine goals from Ross Gainford.
The other Kells tries came from Grant Gainford (2), David Lowery, Harry Watson, Harley Nelson and Dan Joyce.
The match at West Hull was a cracker between two very good sides and the Humbersiders were completing a League double over the Hornets.
Wath Brow were always in contention until eight minutes from the end when West Hull forged an eight point lead with their final try – and were able to hold the advantage.
Charlie Tomlinson and Ellison Holgate scored tries in the first half, both converted by Jake Moore, which helped the Brow into a 12-6 lead but by half-time the hosts led 20-12.
Two minutes into the second-half Holgate scored his second try, converted by Moore, but West Hull kept hitting back and the Hornets could never gain parity.
Frank King’s try on 65 minutes pegged it back to 26-22 but that was as close as they got.
Egremont Rangers stayed second in Division One with a 44-30 win at bottom side Thornhill Trojans, who have already been relegated.
The home side started well, leading 12-0 before Egremont hit back strongly to lead 34-12 at the break.
That lead was extended to 44-12 before Thornhill gained some pride back by scoring three late tries.
The Rangers tries were scored by Quinn Wright (2), Paul Corkhill, Mitchell Edwards, Pat Wells, Leon Crellin, Tom Horner and James McDonald. Kris Tyson kicked six goals.
In Division Two Barrow Island stayed firmly in contention for a play-off place when they drew 10-10 at top six rivals Normanton Knights.
It was a hard-fought contest throughout and the Islanders did well considering they had only been able to travel with 16 players.
They led at half-time 4-0 with a try by Cameron Currie but they needed a penalty five minutes from the end by Declan Baines to earn the point at 10-10.
Nathan Sneasby scored the other try for the south Cumbrians who currently sit in fifth place.
There was a set-back for Cumbria’s two promotion chasing clubs in Division Three.
Ellenborough went down 25-24 at Drighlington while Millom were beaten 25-16 at Beverley.
After eight successive victories Elbra’s charge was halted by Drighlington, who won the game with a field goal five minutes from the end.
The west Cumbrians had led 12-6 at half-time but were pegged back in the second-half and needed a Ben Robinson try, converted by Owen Hoyles, to pull them level at 24-24 in the 70th minute.
But they were undone by that late field goal and although still second and certain to be in the play-offs they are two points behind Oldham St. Anne’s in the race for the title.
Robinson, Gary Tierney and Zak Olstrum scored the other Ellenborough tries and Hoyles finished with four goals.
Millom were 17-6 behind at half-time at Beverley and never led in the game. They scored tries through Lee Postlethwaite, Niall Harris and Connor Terrill, back in the amateur game after a spell with Workington Town. Postlethwaite kicked two goals.
Bottom side Seaton Rangers started well against leaders Oldham St. Annes but by the time they scored again the visitors had established a handy lead and went on to win 30-12.
Liam Kirkbride opened the scoring for Seaton with a try, converted by Dominic Smallwood but they didn’t score again until late on when Jon-Paul Bryan touched down and also added the extras.
In between the League leaders had helped themselves to five tries and five conversions to set-up the win.
Hensingham were 10-0 up at Eastmoor but the lead was reduced to 10-8 by half-time and the Dragons went on to win 22-16 despite having Ryan Thurston sent-off on 33 minutes for an alleged swinging arm.
Dan McGarry, Reuben Butterworth and Jake Rothery scored the Hensingham tries with Dane Richardson landing two goals.
