A PENALTY-goal landed from 25 metres out on 51 minutes by Jack Townend, which had been awarded for a high tackle, proved to be the match-winner in the clash of leaders WEST HULL and last season’s runners-up SIDDAL.
There was no further score in a game in which Wests owed their 12-10 victory as much to titanic defence as to Townend’s accuracy with the boot.
The Halifax outfit, however, did manage to breach that defence twice.
Harry Milnes crossed for the fixture’s opening try on twelve minutes, only for the hosts to nose ahead when Eligh Wilkinson dashed in just four minutes later for Townend to convert.
Wests went in at the break 10-4 up, courtesy of Kieran Masike’s late score.
Siddal, however, restored parity within six minutes of the restart, Lewis Hosty improving Harvey Williams’ touchdown. But the Green and Golds were, through that man Townend, to have the final say.
WEST BOWLING are also in fine form and beat THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS 38-18, thanks in part to four tries by Oliver Bartle.
Bartle grabbed his first in the third minute, Harry Williams landing the first of seven goals from as many attempts.
Thatto then went 12-6 up, Ryan Houghton converting tries by Ryan Forshaw and Shaun Kenny.
But Bowling’s response was quick and effective, with Bartle, Logan Simpson and Lewis Magson dotting down for a 24-12 interval lead.
That was extended to 18 points with Bartle’s hat-trick score, and although the Heath, who are now out of the top six, immediately replied through Jack Jones (Houghton again goaling) Wests ratified their triumph with Howdle’s fourth score, Williams wrapping matters up with a late penalty-goal.
Reigning champions HUNSLET ARLFC are eying escape from the relegation zone after bouncing back from 10-4 down against last season’s Division One champions WATERHEAD WARRIORS to prevail 26-10.
Tyler Dargan gave the south Leeds side the brightest of starts with a try after just two minutes but the Warriors, who were seeking a third win on the hoof, were six points to the good 20 minutes later, courtesy of a Tim Bridge touchdown and Kegan Brennan’s conversion, followed by a couple of Brennan penalty-goals (the second landed despite the Warriors’ James Perks having been yellow carded for a professional foul).
Hunslet ARLFC were level at the break, Jordan Gale converting Tommy Corke’s try. And it was one-way traffic in the second period with touchdowns on 42, 57 and 69 minutes for, respectively, Josh McLelland, Corke and Jake Dearden, two of which Gale improved.
YORK ACORN pulled off an impressive victory at LOCK LANE on Thursday evening.
Acorn were 6-0 down by the 24th minute, the Castleford outfit having brushed aside the 10th-minute sinbinning of Harvey Kear for a high tackle to post, on Kear’s return, a Morgan Jones penalty-goal and a Brandon Worsley try.
But the visitors restored parity at the break with Jack Green’s conversion of Harry Kirk’s late touchdown, and Green nosed Acorn in front six minutes after the restart with a penalty-goal.
Lock Lane, for whom Lucas Moon was making his 100th NCL appearance, regained the lead three minutes later when Lewis Price dotted down.
But Acorn secured a 22-10 win with tries on 57, 63 and 75 minutes by, respectively, Green, Josh Parker and Ryan Gallacher, the second of which Green improved to help hoist his side above their opponents, who have not won any of their last three games, in the standings.
WATH BROW HORNETS posted a first win in three outings, and condemned hosts DEWSBURY MOOR MAROONS to a ninth successive reverse, with a 42-22 success in Yorkshire.
The Cumbrians were 28-0 ahead shortly before half-time, thanks to tries by Jack Meagan, Devan Sharpe (notched a minute after the Maroons’ Kian Fisher was sinbinned for use of the elbow), Aiden Dawson, Karl Dixon and Isaac Scott, with Greg Rooney and Sam Curwen kicking two goals apiece.
Dewsbury Moor opened their account with two tries by Felix Ellis, which were registered in a nine-minute spell straddling the break but between those, Jamie Devine dotted down for Hornets.
Tries by Fran King and Nat Dougan, plus Rooney’s third goal, stretched the visitors’ lead to 30 points before the Maroons grabbed what were effectively consolation touchdowns for Jake Butterfield and Harry Hartley, with Greg Colbridge adding his third goal.
ROCHDALE MAYFIELD, in avoiding a third successive defeat with a 42-0 verdict over 16-man LEIGH MINERS RANGERS, remain clear of the relegation zone. The Miners, by contrast, are in real danger of the drop after, despite Jack Hamer’s colossal effort, going down to a seventh successive reverse.
Tyrone Chipchase was the hosts’ star figure with five tries – including three in the first 16 minutes – while Cole Connolly contributed a try and two goals. Max Riseham and Ben Metcalfe added touchdowns, while Ieaun Higgs kicked three conversions.
Despite the comfortable victory, Mayfield’s Devlin Long was sinbinned on 67 minutes for dissent.
