THE game between PREMIER DIVISION leaders WEST HULL and bottom team ROCHDALE MAYFIELD went according to form, with the home side registering a 16th win in as many outings this season. 

Mayfield, however, could be justified in drawing positives.

They are propping up the table with only one win (having prevailed in their previous match, at home to Heworth) but the 17-man squad travelled from Rochdale aware that they had lost 60-0 at home to the Green and Golds and that, in the circumstances, a real drubbing could have been in prospect – but it didn’t (quite) turn out that way.

Despite being away, Mayfield actually improved on the scoreline in Rochdale, heading back over the Pennines reflecting on a 50-8 reverse in which two home players – Eligh Wilkinson and Jack Potter – inflicted particular damage.

Wilkinson closed with four tries (two in each half) and Potter a hat-trick, which was notched in the opening period.

Wests led 26-4 at the break, Harry Sheridan having opened Mayfield’s account on 28 minutes to reduce the arrears at that stage to 14-4.

The hosts were 36-4 ahead before David Mills claimed Mayfield’s second try, Wilkinson having scored his last two touchdowns after Elliott Jones nipped over. 

Jones grabbed a second try with ten minutes left, and the half-century was breached when Kian Goodhand popped in and Jack Sanderson booted his fifth conversion.

WATERHEAD, who have not lost any of their last eleven games, stay second, thanks to a hard-earned 22-20 victory at WEST BOWLING, who are three points adrift of the play-off spots after three successive defeats and have played two more games than sixth-placed Wath Brow Hornets.

The Warriors, who had won 34-22 in Oldham, looked on course for a double at the break, when a 10-0 lead had been established with the help of tries in the first eight minutes for Mitchell Birch and Adam Robinson.

Andrew Gabriel hit back for the Bradford side five minutes after the restart, only for Waterhead to respond in kind through James Perks. 

Bowling, however, were 20-16 ahead with twelve minutes remaining, Gabriel having completed a notable hat-trick, followed by a Dan Rushworth touchdown and Harry Williams’ second goal.

But the Warriors were not to be denied. Nathan Mason darted over on 70 minutes to match the hosts’ four tries and Kegan Brennan landed what turned out to be the winning goal with his third conversion.

Waterhead, had they not prevailed, would have ceded second spot to HUNSLET ARLFC, who won 30-0 at WIGAN ST JUDES, who remain outside the play-off berths on points difference to Wath Brow.

Judes, whose cause wasn’t helped by the dismissal of James Gleeson for alleged punching, were well-served by prop Josh Hill but were 18-0 adrift at the break, Danny Rowse having converted tries by Tyler Dargan and, twice, Craig McShane. 

Josh McLelland added a touchdown six minutes into the second period (Rowse again adding the extras) and Hunslet ARLFC duly completed a double, again keeping Judes pointless following the 26-0 victory in south Leeds, with three Rowse penalty-goals in the last ten minutes.

Fifth-placed THATTO HEATH completed a double with a 32-18 triumph over YORK ACORN, who had lost 28-10 in the minster city. 

The Heath, who were never behind, were nevertheless only 26-18 ahead with five minutes left, Acorn’s Matt Chilton having converted tries by Reece Arthur, Ben Hodder and Tye Welsh. 

But Callum Gregory’s second touchdown, with Ryan Houghton booting his fourth goal, ensured that the Heath avoided a third successive defeat.

Alex Speakman, Sean Kenny, Ryan Forshaw and Adam Saunders had crossed to help give Thatto a 22-6 lead early in the second period before Acorn – who are only a point above the drop zone – staged their mini-recovery.

Two fixtures in the top flight failed to go ahead because of the recent drought.

The pitch at Heworth was ruled as unfit for play to go ahead against Wath Brow Hornets while, on Friday, the ground at Lock Lane was deemed to be too hard for the fixture with Siddal. 

There was also a call-off in the bottom tier, with Egremont travelling from Cumbria to Wigan St Patricks, where at 2.00pm the referee ruled the pitch too hard and rutted. National League bosses may be called upon to adjudicate on a new slot for the fixture.

Egremont’s neighbours KELLS remain clear at the head of the table, although the Miners had to battle back from 12-0 down midway through the first half before beating STANNINGLEY 20-12. 

The visitors, who had lost 36-10 in Leeds, looked like exacting retribution (and ending a three-match losing run) when Zack Clayton converted tries by Nathan Stone and Logan Temple. 

But Kells posted a Lewis Smith touchdown on the half-hour, and were on level terms three minutes into the second period when Ryan Starkie crossed and Ross Gainford landed his second goal.

Ellis McKee nosed the Whitehaven outfit in front on 52 minutes and Stanningley’s prospects took a dive on the hour, when Connor Aveyard was red carded for alleged dissent, the Cumbrians duly sealing a fourth successive victory when Aaron Burns dotted down four minutes from time.

DEWSBURY CELTIC, who are only a point behind Kells, brushed aside the dismissal of Josh Frain on 50 minutes for an alleged punch to register another win over LEIGH MINERS, who had been edged 26-22 at Twist Lane but were seeking a fourth successive victory.

Celtic were 20-16 behind when Frain departed, and ten points adrift five minutes later when Leigh Miners’ Callum Ashurst converted Aaron Balmer’s try.

Ashurst had previously improved touchdowns for Dylan Hughes, Ethan Boyles and Tom Burnett – and kicked a penalty-goal – but a sparkling solo score by Joel Gibson heralded a stunning Celtic rally.

Casey Canterbury completed his hat-trick with ten minutes left, Jordan Hirst restoring parity with his third goal, and it was Hirst who grabbed the winning try, five minutes from time.

Dylan Kindelan had opened for Celtic, who have won their last three games, while the Miners’ Jack Hamer was yellow carded near the end for a professional foul.

A blistering start in which Louie Walker converted tries in the opening quarter by Taylor Russell, Aaron James and Kieren Hepworth paved the way for DEWSBURY MOOR MAROONS’ 32-12 success over EAST LEEDS, who had been edged 30-24 at home and were seeking to extend a four-match unbeaten run. 

The Moor, who have now won their last five games, are only three points behind second-placed Celtic, with a game in hand.

Keiden Hartley dotted down for Easts, Luke Littlewood’s goal reducing the deficit at the interval to 18-6.

Tries by Hepworth and Mitchell Gray, the second of which Walker improved, gave the Moor a 22-point buffer before Littlewood converted Kane Riley’s touchdown on 63 minutes to peg the Maroons back to 16 points.

But Easts’ hopes took a tumble when Dave Gibbons was sinbinned on 65 minutes for dissent, Taireeq Garrick nipping over for the Moor before his return.

A late field-goal by Archie Craggs helped OULTON RAIDERS to a 17-16 victory at relegation-haunted PILKINGTON RECS, who had lost 32-28 in Leeds. 

Craggs’ one-pointer ended a three-match losing run for Oulton, while the Recs have now been beaten in each of their last four games.

Pilks, who had been level through a Tom Eastwood brace, a Jack Tinsley try and two Josh O’Connell goals, had lost O’Connell to the sin bin on 79 minutes, for dissent. 

Oulton’s Matty Stableford was yellow carded midway through the first half for a professional foul.

Craggs, meanwhile, had converted two of tries by Noah Crawshaw, Bailey Metcalfe and Tim Stableford.

Bottom side OLDHAM ST ANNES battled hard at SHAW CROSS SHARKS, who were 6-0 ahead through the first of Wesley Bruines’ three tries when the Saints’ Tommy Taylor was red carded on 21 minutes for alleged punching.

The Sharks, who had Alex Baines sinbinned in the same incident for unsportsmanlike conduct, conceded a try and a goal by Richard Pogson before his return, and the score stayed at 6-6 at the break.

It was one-way traffic, however, in the second period when Shaw Cross, who had won 36-12 in Oldham, eased to a 31-6 victory. 

Evan Stephenson closed with a try and five goals, Bruines claimed his last two scores and Brad Wakenshaw grabbed the final touchdown, while in between, Arian Woods fired a field-goal.

SCOREBOARD

Results

Friday 24 July

REGIONS
CUMBRIA MEN’S LEAGUE
DIVISION 1: Egremont Rangers A 24 Millom A 0; Glasson Rangers v Hensingham A -nr.

Saturday 25 July

NATIONAL LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Heworth v Wath Brow Hornets
Postponed (unfit pitch)
Lock Lane v Siddal
Postponed (unfit pitch)
Thatto Heath Crusaders 32 York Acorn 18
West Bowling 20 Waterhead Warriors 22
West Hull 50 Rochdale Mayfield 8
Wigan St Judes 0 Hunslet ARLFC 30
DIVISION ONE
Dewsbury Celtic 30 Leigh Miners Rangers 26
Dewsbury Moor Maroons 32 East Leeds 12
Kells 20 Stanningley 12
Pilkington Recs 16 Oulton Raiders 17
Shaw Cross Sharks 31 Oldham St Annes 6
Wigan St Patricks v Egremont Rangers
Postponed – unfit pitch
CONFERENCE REGIONS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE CUMBRIA: Distington 60 Hindpool Tigers 0; Barrow Island v Ulverston -nr; Ellenborough v Hensingham -nr; Seaton Rangers 30 Millom 24; Dalton 50 Maryport 10.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE NORTH WEST: Ashton Bears 26 Saddleworth Rangers 6; Crosfields 36 Woolston Rovers 12; Ince Rose Bridge 42 Clock Face Miners 10; Orrell St James 40 Leigh East 0.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE SOUTH: Wests Warriors 24 Brentwood Eels 0; Bristol All Golds 26 London Chargers 24; Hammersmith Hill Hoists 54 Bedford Tigers 6.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE A: Beverley v Moldgreen -nr; Drighlington v Bradford Dudley Hill -nr; King Cross Park 70 Stanley Rangers 16; Mirfield Spartans v Thornhill Trojans -nr; Myton Warriors v Keighley Albion -nr.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE B: Featherstone Lions 36 Bentley 6; Kippax Welfare v Normanton Knights -nr; Newsome Panthers v Fryston Warriors -pp (unfit pitch); Siddal Academy 18 Milford 14; Skirlaugh 50 Hull Dockers 12.
REGIONS
LONDON & EAST LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Anglian Vipers 24 Bedford Tigers A 0; Brixton Bulls 24 London Chargers A 0; Elmbridge Eagles 40 Wests Warriors A 28; Hemel Stags 30 Medway Dragons 32.
CUMBRIA MEN’S LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Cockermouth Titans v Roose Pioneers -nr; Lowca v Askam -nr; Wath Brow Hornets A 42 Kells A 10.
DIVISION 1: Dalton A 26 Maryport A 26.
MIDLANDS
PREMIER DIVISION: Birmingham Bulldogs 22 Telford Raiders 40; Aston Warriors v Nottingham Outlaws -nr.
DIVISION 1/MERIT: Leamington Royals v North East Worcestershire Ravens -nr; North Midlands Knights 26 Peterborough 54.
NORTH WEST MEN’S LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Westhoughton Lions 10 Hindley Stags 40; Chorley Panthers 18 Shevington Sharks 6; Folly Lane 40 Wigan St Judes 14; Heysham Atoms v Halton Farnworth Hornets -nr; West Bank Bears 44 Waterhead Warriors A 6.
DIVISION 1: Golborne Parkside v Salford City Roosters -nr; Wigan St Cuthberts v Garswood Stags -nr.
DIVISION 2: Portico Vine 24 Blackpool Scorpions 12; Clock Face Miners A v Thatto Heath Crusaders Academy -nr; Orrell St James A 10 Oldham St Annes A 24; Saddleworth Rangers A 16 Latchford Albion Giants 10.
ENTRY DIVISION: Burtonwood Bridge v Ince Rose Bridge A -nr; Cadishead Rhinos v Westhoughton Lions A -nr; Leigh East A v Chester Gladiators -nr; Rylands Sharks v Langworthy Reds -nr; Accrington Wildcats v Salford City Roosters A -nr; Widnes St Maries 32 Chorley Panthers A 14; Wigan Bulldogs 6 Hindley Stags Reserves 20; Woolston Rovers A v Blackbrook A -nr.
MERIT DIVISION: Culcheth Eagles 14 Leigh Miners Rangers A 24.
YORKSHIRE MEN’S LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Hunslet 18 Dodworth Miners 20; Newcastle Lightning 24 East Hull 0; Doncaster Toll Bar v Ossett Trinity Tigers -nr.
DIVISION 1: York Barbarians v Seacroft Sharks -nr; Emley Moor 26 Stainland Stags 8; York Barbarians v Seacroft Sharks -nr; Upton 38 Wibsey Warriors 6.
DIVISION 2: Castleford Panthers v West Hull -nr; Dearne Valley Bulldogs 28 Lindley St Joseph’s 20; Derby Elks 26 Cutsyke Raiders 18; Eastmoor Dragons 36 Goole Vikings 28.
DIVISION 3: Birkenshaw Blue Dogs 58 Underbank Rangers 20; Bramley Buffaloes v Dewsbury Celtic -nr; Moortown Mambas v Dewsbury Moor -nr.
DIVISION 4: Stanningley 20 Newsome Panthers 12; Hemsworth Dragons v Batley -nr; Keighley Albion v King Cross Park -nr; Sherburn Bears 24 Ossett Trinity Tigers Academy 0; Stanningley 20 Newsome Panthers 12.
DIVISION 5: Harrogate Hawks 20 Methley Warriors 26; Hull Wyke 24 Farnley Falcons 0; New Earswick All Blacks 24 Shaw Cross Sharks 0; York Acorn 0 Crigglestone All Blacks 24.
DIVISION 6: Knottingley Mustangs 0 Rycroft Hammers 24; Milford 24 Garforth Tigers 0; Moldgreen Rams v Guiseley Rangers -nr; Moorends Thorne Marauders v Sheffield Hawks -nr.
DIVISION 7: East Leeds v Boothtown Terriers -nr; York Barbarians A v Clayton -nr.
ENTRY: Dearne Valley Bulldogs A v Skirlaugh Academy -nr; Heworth v Lock Lane -nr; Odsal Sedbergh 10 Hull Knights 30.
FRIENDLY: Holderness Vikings 18 Myton Warriors 24.

Fixtures

Friday 31 July

CONFERENCE REGIONS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE CUMBRIA: Seaton Rangers v Distington.

Saturday 1 August

NATIONAL LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
York Acorn v Wath Brow Hornets
DIVISION ONE
CONFERENCE REGIONS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE CUMBRIA: Dalton v Hindpool Tigers.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE NORTH WEST: Clock Face Miners v Saddleworth Rangers.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE SOUTH: London Chargers v Brentwood Eels; North Herts Crusaders v Wests Warriors; Bristol All Golds v Eastern Rhinos.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE A: Mirfield Spartans v King Cross Park; Keighley Albion v Moldgreen.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE B: Milford v Hull Dockers.
REGIONS
LONDON & EAST
PREMIER DIVISION: Elmbridge Eagles v Anglian Vipers; Hemel Stags v Brixton Bulls; Medway Dragons v Bedford Tigers A.
CUMBRIA MEN’S LEAGUE
TROPHY: Kells A v Egremont Rangers A.
PREMIER DIVISION: Maryport A v Millom A.
MIDLANDS
PREMIER DIVISION: Sherwood Wolf Hunt v Coventry Bears.
DIVISION 1/MERIT: North Midlands Knights v Sherwood Wolf Hunt A; Peterborough v Nottingham Outlaws A.
NORTH WEST MEN
PREMIER DIVISION: West Bank Bears v Heysham Atoms.
DIVISION 2: Blackpool Scorpions v Hindley Stags Reserves.
ENTRY DIVISION: Chester Gladiators v Cadishead Rhinos.
YORKSHIRE MEN’S LEAGUE
CUP FINAL: Hunslet ARLFC v Doncaster Toll Bar or Ossett.
TROPHY FINAL: Castleford Panthers v West Hull (1.00pm).
SHIELD FINAL: Hull Wyke v Sherburn Bears (5.00pm).
PLATE FINAL: Milford v Skirlaugh Bulls (11.00am).
All at The Fox’s Biscuit Stadium, Batley Bulldogs