In Division One of the National Conference League, Kells battled their way to an excellent 26-12 win over Oulton Raiders, writes Ben Challis.
Man of the Match Harry Watson was in fine form, going over for two tries with Harley Nelson adding two more and Ross Gainford adding a fifth try as well as kicking three goals.
Having won three of their last four, Kells have pushed their way up to sixth place in the table. It was less good news for Egremont Rangers, who fell to their third defeat on the bounce, this one away at Stanningley where the Rangers went down 34-12. Egremont are now ninth place in Division One.
In the Premier Division, and despite a brace of tries from both Morgan McCourt and Luke Jeremy, and two Greg Rooney conversions, Wath Brow Hornets lost out 20-46 to the Thatto Heath Crusaders. The Brow are now in a distant fifth place in the table, with hopes of a top four finish now fading away.
In Division Two, Hensingham led the way with an emphatic 60-6 win over Hull Dockers with the tries from a Reuben Butterworth hat trick, Man of the Match Fletcher Holgate and Ben Pearce each with two, and one each for Koby Conway, Jordan Pritt, and Noel Branthwaite.
Hensingham’s kickers, Dylan Bragg with three out of three, and Adam Williamson with seven out of seven, were 100% from the tee.
Hensingham stay in fifth spot in the table, with the top five now pulling away from the chasing pack, but they face table toppers East Leeds next Saturday in what will be a real test for Kris Coward’s young squad, with Leeds undefeated so far this season.
Barrow Island had a miserable day with a 6-32 home defeat to Pilkington Recs. Barrow Island stay seventh in the table, and will be looking for a win when they travel to Dewsbury Celtic next Saturday.
Having looked impressive in defeat against Hensingham last weekend, Ellenborough Rangers finally got their win, coming from behind for a very hard fought 12-6 victory over Drighlington earned from two tries from Dan Penman and two Brett Stevenson goals.
It was Elbra’s first win in 10 matches, and only their second win of the season, and they remain in bottom place in Division Two, but if they can keep this momentum, they must now see at least a chance of escaping relegation.
Elbra are away against Skirlaugh next Saturday and will be looking for revenge when they travel to Hull to the home defat in June.
In Division Three both Millom and Distington lost out away from home.
Millom’s trip to the Featherstone Lions ended in a 42-4 defeat, and Distington’s miserable away form was self evident with a 46-4 loss to the Myton Warriors. Distington are in seventh spot and Millom in ninth spot in the table.
