It was a very good win for Distington in Division Three of the National Conference League, defeating the in-form Featherstone Lions 16-6 at Grass Road, writes Ben Challis.
The win was earned with two first half tries from Scott Rooke and Jack Penrice, neither converted, and then a Scott George penalty goal from a ball rip on a charging Ethan Black (and then Featherstone dissent) with Distington leading 10-0 at half time, and with Featherstone down to 12.
Distington started the second half where they left of in the first half with Black on another massive charge.
A scrappy second half saw Kieran Worthington go over for Distington’s third try, which he couldn’t convert, before Featherstone grabbed a converted try back.
The visitors continued to give away repeated penalties and possession, and it became increasingly unlikely that they would add to their score as the clock ticked down, and Scott George added a second penalty goal to put the scoreline beyond the Lions.
Featherstone stay fourth in the table and Distington seventh, and Distington now face an away game at Leigh East next Saturday.
It was close at Grass Road in March, with Leigh edging the win 16-18, and if Distington want to climb the table they need to improve their appalling away form, having won just one game on the road so far this season.
Leigh sit one place above Distington in sixth, equal on points with 14 games played.
In the Premier Division, Wath Brow Hornets went down 18-20 at home to Hunslet ARL, with the Wath Brow tries from Jack Meagan, Cole Walker-Taylor and Owen McCartney, with one goal fro Greg Rooney and two from Walker-Taylor.
In other results, Waterhead Warriors won 18-20 away at West Hull, Thatto Heath Crusaders had an impressive 38-16 win over West Bowling Dewsbury Moor Maroons were edged out 28-30 away to Rochdle Mayfield, and Siddal took a 12-44 away win at Lock Lane.
The Brow have now slipped to seventh place in the Premier Division; leap frogged by Hunslet and Thatto Heath on the back of their wins.
Wath Brow face table toppers Siddal next Saturday.
in Division One, and after last week’s home win over Oulton Raiders, Kells lost out 34-22 at Oldham St Annes despite tries from Harley Nelson, Jack Ainley, Joe Moore and James Ennis and three conversions from Ross Gainford.
Oldham swap positions with Kells in the table, with Oldham now sixth and Kells seventh.
Kells are at home to table toppers Wigan St Judes next Saturday.
Egremont Rangers took the win over Wigan St Pats at Gillfoot Park 34-10 to the delight of the Cowshed Army. It was a scrappy and sometimes feisty match, with Rangers down to 11 men for a brief period, and littered with unforced errors from both sides, but it’s a good win for the the Mont, who started the day one point and one place behind Wigan in the table, climbing above them on the back of this result.
The try scorers for Egremont were Jayden Tyson with his debut NCL try, Fraser Mcnee, Pat Wells, James Messenger Kieran Glenn, Lachlan McDowell and Tom Houghton. The goals were from Matt Bewsher, Kristian Tyson (1) and Houghton (2).
In Division Two, Hensingham lost out 36-16 to table toppers East Leeds who have yet to lose a league game this season.
Hesingham’s three tries were from Matthew Williams, Fletcher Holgate and Man of the Match Ben Pearce, with Kieran Mewse adding two conversions.
Hesingham stay fifth in the table, five points above sixth placed Normanton Knights who battled to a 20-20 draw with the Clock Face Miners.
Hensingham are at home to Pilkington Recs next Saturday who are just three points above them in third spot. After last week’s win for Ellenborough, Skirkaugh snuffed any hopes of a resurgence, defeating Elbra 28-8, with Elbra’s only points from a Niall Gray try and two Brett Stevenson goals.
Ellenborough now have the challenge of East Leeds away next Saturday. Barrow Island’s away game to Dewsbury Celtic was postponed. Barrow are at home to Thornhill Trojans on Saturday
In Division Three, on top of the win for Distington, there was a welcome and impressive home victory for Millom who triumphed 34-16 over table toppers Bentley.
The Woollybacks’ first two tries came from Hayden Jackson followed by tries from Jonty Peters, Man of the Match Connor Terrill and Rio Walker, which, along with three conversions and a penalty goal from Lee Postlethwaite, gave Millom a 28-4 lead at half time.
A final Millom try from sponsor’s Man of the Match Jude Lupton and the conversion from Postlethwaite in the second half put the result beyond doubt despite a late score from Bentley.
Next up for Millom is another home match, this one against Keighley Albion who have replaced Bentley at the top of the table with their 16-22 win over Milford.
