WEST HULL are only one point away from securing the PREMIER DIVISION League Leaders’ Shield in the competition’s first year.
The pacesetters notched their 18th win in as many outings with a 42-4 success over relegation-haunted HEWORTH, who have slipped into the bottom two after four defeats on the trot.
Eligh Wilkinson sent Wests on the way to a double after their 60-0 win in York with a hat-trick in the first 24 minutes, Jack Sanderson adding each conversion.
Josh Wood crossed on the half-hour for a 22-0 interval lead and grabbed his second score eight minutes after the restart, Wilkinson adding the extras.
Heworth hit back on the hour with a Riley Barstow effort before the Green and Golds closed in style with touchdowns for Elliott Jones, Jack Porter and Mason Opie-Palmer, one of which Wilkinson converted.
LOCK LANE leapfrogged Heworth – and York Acorn – out of the drop zone thanks to a 56-12 victory over WIGAN ST JUDES, who had been beaten 20-12 at Parson’s Meadow.
The Lane, who had lost their previous five games, were in control from the start and led 28-0 on 24 minutes, Calum Butler having improved four of tries by Morgan Jones, Leyton Davies, Brandon Worsley, Josh Stevens and Jones again.
Josh Hill replied for Judes, who now have a three-match losing streak, as the half-time neared, Danny Cassidy converting.
But the hosts were 38 points clear as the hour approached, after touchdowns by Alex Barker, Tom Boardman and Lewis Price.
Cassidy improved Lewis Melling’s score as the game went into the final quarter, Sam Darley responding for the Lane and Butler adding his seventh goal.
And, after Judes’ Joey Brady had been yellow carded for a late tackle, the Castleford outfit wrapped matters up with Boardman’s second try, which Isaac Oughton improved.
Second-placed HUNSLET ARLFC completed a double over bottom side ROCHDALE MAYFIELD, who had been traduced 52-0 on their own patch, with a 76-12 triumph in south Leeds.
The hosts, who went 12-0 up after only three minutes through tries by Jamie Field and Caelum Jordan, with Harry Shackleton adding the first two of his twelve goals, were only 22-12 ahead on the half-hour, Mayfield’s Zac Law having improved touchdowns by Phil Futi and Deacon Connolly, but it was one-way traffic from that point.
Hunslet ARLFC’s other try-scorers were Danny Sowerby (hat-trick), Jack McShane (two), Harry Dodd, Jordan Barraclough, Joe Abson, Danny Rowse, Moris Kamano (a recent recruit from neighbours East Leeds) and Shane Jackson.
WATERHEAD WARRIORS got back to winning ways, after having lost at home to West Hull a fortnight earlier, with a 34-18 victory at WATH BROW HORNETS.
The Warriors, who have registered a double after prevailing 60-10 in Oldham, were 20-6 ahead at the interval and closed with two tries and a goal by Max Hobin, a try and two conversions for Ciaran Dean and touchdowns to Liam Aspin, Matthew Holland, Danny Bridge and Harry Barker.
Waterhead remain third in the standings, a point shy of Hunslet ARLFC. Hornets, who have lost four of their last six fixtures, are still in the top six and therefore in line for the play-offs. The Cumbrians notched a Jake Moore brace, a Nathan Dougan effort and three Sam Curwen goals.
SIDDAL, who are fourth, effectively cemented a place in the play-offs with a 38-10 win over YORK ACORN, who have slipped to third-bottom after having won only one of their last twelve matches.
The home side, who had prevailed 34-4 at Thanet Road, have won their last five fixtures and were 22-0 ahead midway through the first half, with the help of an Oliver Lewis brace and tries by Josh Brown and Zac Baker.
Acorn rallied to 22-10 through touchdowns for George Hunt and Clayton Shepherdson, one of which Nathan Hammerton converted.
But, following the sinbinning of the visitors’ Luke Swales on 34 minutes for a high tackle, Siddal went in at the break 26-10 ahead, courtesy of Brown’s second try.
Henry Turner crossed for the Halifax outfit on 56 minutes, Ed Barber converting. And, after the hosts’ Danny Williams had been yellow carded on the hour for tripping, Siddal closed on top with a try by Jamie Greenwood, who landed his fourth goal.
THATTO HEATH are almost certain of a place in the play-offs after completing a double over WEST BOWLING, following the 32-24 win in St Helens, with a 34-14 victory in Bradford.
The sides were level midway through the first half, Bowling having replied to Ryan Houghton’s opener – Sean Leicester adding the first of his five goals – with an Oliver Bartle touchdown which Harry Williams improved.
The Crusaders, however, eased to a 24-6 interval lead with converted tries for Jamie Holroyd, Ryan Forshaw and Callum Gregory.
Thatto’s Kobe McKinnon was sinbinned eight minutes after the restart for a professional foul and, as he trudged off, Richard Lumb nipped over for Wests.
The hosts’ Lewis Magson was, however, red carded on the hour for an alleged tip-tackle (the visitors’ Andy Lea seeing yellow for running in and punching in the same incident) and the Heath duly sealed a third successive win with an Alex Speakman brace before Bowling, who have lost five games on the trot and are five points shy of the play-offs berths, registered a late consolation try by Archie Halmshaw.
STANNINGLEY effectively put paid to worries regarding relegation from DIVISION ONE with a 36-12 home win over mid-table SHAW CROSS SHARKS.
The west Leeds side, who had lost 10-4 in Dewsbury, are now eight points clear of second-bottom Pilkington Recs and have a much superior points difference.
Stanningley led 12-0 on 28 minutes, Sam Oldroyd goaling tries by Dean Parker and Owain McLoughlin, before the Sharks’ Evan Stephenson converted Sam Busfield’s score to peg the hosts back to 12-6 at the break.
Dylan Wepener and Alfie Peach nipped over by the hour, two Josh Phillips conversions earning Stanningley an 18-point cushion.
Shaw Cross, who have now lost three of their last four matches and have slipped out of the top six, opened the closing quarter with a Seb Jeffers try which Stephenson improved.
A further visiting score could have reignited the contest, but it was Stanningley who struck, Dion Henry sealing the home win, with Jacob Morgan also crossing and Phillips completing a four-goal contribution.
DEWSBURY MOOR, who had won their previous seven games, are three points adrift of second-placed Dewsbury Celtic after losing 30-10 at OULTON RAIDERS who, after a third successive victory (and revenge for the 24-16 away defeat) have risen from seventh to fifth.
Oulton were 16-0 up on eight minutes, thanks to a Noah Crawshaw brace, a Matty Stableford try and the first two of Archie Craggs’ five goals.
The Raiders went in at the interval 22-6 ahead, Alfie Hawkshead nipping over in response to Matthew Race’s try and George Woodcock’s goal.
Kian Watson crossed for Oulton three minutes after the restart, Craggs improving, and a Craggs penalty-goal on 74 minutes ratified the home win after Taylor Russell had dotted down for the Maroons.
Leaders KELLS recorded a sixth win on the hoof with a 58-12 home victory over 15-man WIGAN ST PATRICKS, who after five successive defeats are only four points clear of the drop zone.
The Cumbrians were 24-0 ahead at the interval, with the helps of tries by Ryan Watson, Harley Nelson, Grant Gainford and (twice, on his way to a hat-trick), Aaron Burns.
Pats rallied to 24-12 on the resumption, Jack Sproat converting touchdowns by the 46th minute by Dean Duell and Robbie Harper, before Kells breached the half-century with unanswered tries by Dylan Grears, Eddie Calvin, Nelson, Nathan Clark, James Ennis and Burns, with Ross Gainford totalling seven goals.
Second-placed DEWSBURY CELTIC completed a double over bottom side OLDHAM ST ANNES, who had lost 22-0 at home, with a 36-10 victory.
Celtic led 12-0 as the break approached through tries by Dylan Kindelaw, Paul Foulstone and Oli Thornton.
Leo McNally replied for Annes, Charlie McManus improving, before Joel Gibson converted his own score to give Celtic an 18-6 interval advantage.
Gibson improved Callum Wilkin’s touchdown on the restart, while Haydn Howarth replied on the hour to reduce the arrears to 14 points.
But Celtic sealed victory with tries in the final quarter for Gibson and Drew Judge-Clark, both of which the former goaled.
LEIGH MINERS’ Brad Lewis and Diego Walker opened and closed the scoring against EAST LEEDS, Callum Ashurst converting the opener.
In between, however, 15-man Easts dominated in a 36-10 success, thereby completing a double after a 30-10 home win.
The visitors, who have won five of their last six fixtures, are almost certain to feature in the play-offs and, after having recovered from 6-0 down to lead 8-6 at the break with tries by Jordan Russell and James Duckworth, posted touchdowns on the restart for Ajay Wilson and Duckworth before the Miners’ Max Blackburn was sinbinned on 53 minutes for a tip-tackle.
Alfie Crawford, Ryan Wooffitt and Wilson completed the assignment in the closing quarter, Luke Littlewood totalling four goals.
Sixteen-man PILKINGTON RECS were 16-8 ahead at EGREMONT RANGERS as the game entered the closing quarter, having posted unconverted tries by Tyler Duberry, Elliot Martin, Jamie Smith and Tyrese Daley.
But Egremont ended a three-match losing run – and condemned second-bottom Pilks to a sixth successive defeat – with tries on 62 and 66 minutes respectively for Jayden Tyson and Jack Conway.
Both, crucially, were converted by Joe Lewis who, with Conway, had crossed in the first half. With that 20-16 win, Rangers are now only outside the top six on points difference to Leigh Miners.
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday 19 August
CONFERENCE REGIONS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE CUMBRIA: Barrow Island 24 Ulverston 0; Ellenborough 12 Hensingham 30.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE A: Mirfield Spartans 22 Thornhill Trojans 22; Beverley 0 Moldgreen 24.
Friday 21 August
CONFERENCE REGIONS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE A: Drighlington 24 Stanley Rangers 16.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE B: Featherstone Lions 94 Normanton Knights 6.
REGIONS
CUMBRIA MEN’S LEAGUE
DIVISION 1: Egremont Rangers A 60 Hensingham A 18.
YORKSHIRE MEN’S LEAGUE
DIVISION 6: Moorends Thorne Marauders 46 Garforth Tigers 16.
Saturday 22 August
NATIONAL LEAGUES
PREMIER DIVISION
Hunslet ARLFC 76 Rochdale Mayfield 12
Lock Lane 56 Wigan St Judes 12
Siddal 38 York Acorn 10
Wath Brow Hornets 18 Waterhead Warriors 34
West Bowling 14 Thatto Heath Crusaders 34
West Hull 42 Heworth 4
DIVISION ONE
Dewsbury Celtic 36 Oldham St Annes 10
Egremont Rangers 20 Pilkington Recs 16
Kells 58 Wigan St Patricks 12
Leigh Miners Rangers 10 East Leeds 36
Oulton Raiders 30 Dewsbury Moor Maroons 10
Stanningley 36 Shaw Cross Sharks 12
CONFERENCE REGIONS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE CUMBRIA: Dalton 44 Millom 36; Distington 22 Barrow Island 16; Ellenborough 24 Ulverston 0; Hensingham 38 Seaton Rangers 14; Maryport v Hindpool Tigers -nr.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE NORTH WEST: Blackbrook 22 Ince Rose Bridge 28; Leigh East 100 Clock Face Miners 6; Orrell St James 24 Saddleworth Rangers 0; Woolston Rovers 28 Ashton Bears 24.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE SOUTH: Brentwood Eels 0 Bristol All Golds 24; Eastern Rhinos 22 London Chargers 28; North Herts Crusaders 0 Hammersmith Hill Hoists 24; Wests Warriors v Bedford Tigers -nr.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE A: Beverley 12 Myton Warriors 24; King Cross Park 14 Keighley Albion 12; Mirfield Spartans v Bradford Dudley Hill -nr; Moldgreen 16 Thornhill Trojans 44.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE B: Bentley 18 Milford 22; Hull Dockers 26 Kippax Welfare 22; Newsome Panthers 28 Siddal Academy 0; Skirlaugh 18 Fryston Warriors 12.
REGIONS
CUMBRIA MEN’S LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Askam 24 Kells A 0; Lowca 30 Wath Brow Hornets A 36; Roose Pioneers 24 Flimby Vikings 0.
DIVISION 1: Aspatria Hornets 24 Millom A 0.
NORTH WEST MEN’S LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Hindley Stags v Halton Farnworth Hornets -nr; West Bank Bears 32 Shevington Sharks 24; Chorley Panthers 54 Westhoughton Lions 4; Folly Lane 28 Waterhead Warriors A 14; Wigan St Judes 66 Heysham Atoms 4.
DIVISION 1: Spring View 14 Garswood Stags 44; Wigan St Cuthberts 10 Salford City Roosters 24.
DIVISION 2: Saddleworth Rangers A 28 Hindley Stags Reserves 20; Blackpool Scorpions 24 Orrell St James A 0; Clock Face Miners A 0 Latchford Albion Giants 24; Thatto Heath Crusaders Academy 40 Portico Vine 18.
ENTRY DIVISION: Ince Rose Bridge A v Chorley Panthers A -pp; Burtonwood Bridge v Leigh East A -nr; Cadishead Rhinos v Blackbrook A -pp; Chester Gladiators v Accrington Wildcats -pp; Langworthy Reds v Hindley Stags Reserves -pp; Salford City Roosters A v Woolston Rovers A -pp; Rylands Sharks v Westhoughton Lions A -pp; Wigan Bulldogs 10 Widnes St Maries 38.
MERIT DIVISION: Leigh Miners Rangers A 48 Crosfields A 6; West Bank Bears A 34 Cadishead Rhinos 16; Chorley Panthers A 20 Runcorn Highfield 18; Culcheth Eagles 30 Merseyside Police 14.
YORKSHIRE MEN’S LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Doncaster Toll Bar 24 Brighouse Rangers 0; Dodworth Miners 44 East Hull 18; Ossett Trinity Tigers 24 Hunslet ARLFC 0.
DIVISION 1: Birstall Victoria v Seacroft Sharks -nr; Emley Moor 0 Sharlston Rovers 24; Upton 24 York Barbarians 0; Wibsey Warriors 46 Stainland Stags 18.
DIVISION 2: Castleford Panthers 6 Goole Vikings 66; Derby Elks 0 Dearne Valley Bulldogs 24; Eastmoor Dragons 28 West Hull 32; Lindley St Joseph’s 24 Cutsyke Raiders 0.
DIVISION 3: Birkenshaw Blue Dogs v Dewsbury Celtic -nr; Moortown Mambas 22 Dewsbury Moor 42; Underbank Rangers 18 Drighlington 28.
DIVISION 4: Batley 24 Ossett Trinity Tigers Academy 0; Hemsworth Dragons 24 King Cross Park 0; Keighley Albion 24 Newsome Panthers 0; Sherburn Bears 34 Stanningley 0.
DIVISION 5: Harrogate Hawks v New Earswick All Blacks -nr; Hull Wyke 34 Crigglestone All Blacks 12; Shaw Cross Sharks v Methley Warriors -nr; York Acorn 24 Farnley Falcons 0.
DIVISION 6: Moldgreen Rams 24 Knottingley Mustangs 0; Rycroft Hammers 24 Guiseley Rangers 0; Sheffield Hawks 16 Milford 58.
DIVISION 7: East Leeds 28 Boothtown Terriers 36; Clayton v Featherstone Lions -nr; York Barbarians A 44 Woodhouse Warriors 24.
ENTRY: West Bowling Academy v Hull Knights -pp; Lock Lane v Dearne Valley Bulldogs A -pp; Illingworth v Odsal Sedbergh -pp.
Fixtures
Wednesday 26 August
CONFERENCE REGIONS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE CUMBRIA: Dalton v Hindpool Tigers.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE NORTH WEST: Woolston Rovers v Clock Face Miners.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE A: Bradford Dudley Hill v Stanley Rangers.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE B: Newsome Panthers v Fryston Warriors.
REGIONS
NORTH WEST MEN’S LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Shevington Sharks v Halton Farnworth Hornets.
Thursday 27 August
REGIONS
NORTH WEST MEN’S LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION: Chorley Panthers v Hindley Stags.
DIVISION 2: Blackpool Scorpions v Hindley Stags Reserves; Latchford Albion Giants v Oldham St Annes A.
Friday 28 August
REGIONS
BARROW ARL
BARTON TOWNLEY FINAL: Barrow Island v Millom (Craven Park, 7.30pm).
Saturday 29 August
NATIONAL LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Heworth v Wath Brow Hornets
York Acorn v Wigan St Judes
DIVISION ONE
Wigan St Patricks v Egremont Rangers
CONFERENCE REGIONS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE CUMBRIA: Distington v Ulverston; Seaton Rangers v Dalton.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE SOUTH: North Herts Crusaders v Brentwood Eels.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE A: Mirfield Spartans v Beverley; Drighlington v Bradford Dudley Hill; Myton Warriors v Keighley Albion.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE YORKSHIRE B: Fryston Warriors v Hull Dockers; Skirlaugh v Normanton Knights.
REGIONS
NORTH WEST MEN’S LEAGUE
DIVISION 1: Garswood Stags v Wigan St Cuthberts.
ENTRY DIVISION: Widnes St Maries v Langworthy Reds.