RELEGATION-haunted WOOLSTON gave their survival hopes a boost with a sensational 34-32 win over second-placed HEWORTH.
Rovers, who led 10-0 in the early stages, trailed 32-22 with ten minutes left but took the spoils with tries by Ben Dixon and, with a 70-metre interception, Sean Kelly, with Ryan Brown landing the last two of his five goals, including the winner from close to the touchline.
Brown, James Tarpey, Andrew Addison and Harry Files had crossed earlier for the hosts while Heworth led through a brace apiece for Max Rhodes and Danny Allan, while Callum Rutland chipped in with a try and two goals. Maddox Jefferey also nipped over for the visitors and Jack Sadler converted a couple of scores.
Reece Bushell claimed a hat-trick as leaders INCE ROSE BRIDGE notched a seventh win in as many games with a 32-24 result at OLDHAM ST ANNES – despite having Callum Hughes red carded on the hour for alleged dissent.
Ince were 30-18 in front when Hughes trudged off but stretched their lead with a Mason Fillingham penalty-goal (his sixth successful kick).
St Annes closed through a try and goal (his fourth) by Matt Whitehead but it was too little, too late for the hosts, for whom Callum Cashin, Greg Worrall and Sam Johnson had crossed earlier. Brodie Butler and Kyle Malone grabbed the Bridge’s other tries.
WIGAN ST JUDES eased ahead of Heworth into second spot, courtesy of a 24-16 victory over promotion rivals SHAW CROSS which was sealed with Connor Parkinson’s try on 72 minutes, with Danny Cassidy landing his second goal.
Judes, who were never behind, also posted a Cassidy brace and touchdowns for Reece McNally and Dante Morley-Samuels. The Sharks missed out despite tries by Josh Rhodes, Tenneson Neagle and Tommy Milburn, two of which Evan Stephenson converted.
STANNINGLEY eased into the top six, courtesy of a 38-6 verdict over promotion hopefuls WIGAN ST PATRICKS, who levelled on 16 minutes with Adam O’Neil’s try and Jack Sproat-Williams’ conversion.
The Leeds side prevailed through two tries each for Jack Sykes and Alex Ryan, while Connor Aveyard contributed a try and four goals.
Jamaine Ruan and Sam Peel also raced over for the hosts, and Adam Butterill improved the last score.
In a fractious finale, Stanningley’s Josh Phillips was red carded for alleged contact with the head. That incident followed a skirmish which led to Aveyard and Jack Hepworth (Stanningley) being sinbinned alongside Pats’ Matthew Ellis and Ben Harper.
Bottom side OULTON lost 34-14 at EGREMONT after being level at 14-14 three minutes into the second period, Elliot Oxley having crossed to supplement first-half efforts by Archie Craggs and Charlie Tetley, the first of which Josh Perkins improved.
Rangers, however, dominated the rest of the contest with unanswered tries by Brad Long, Jake Conway, Kristian Tyson and Tom Houghton, with Matt Bewsher adding the last two of his three goals. Houghton, Conway and Lachlan McDonald crossed in the first half for the Cumbrians.
CROSFIELDS are, like Oulton, without a win and lost 28-10 to KELLS after having led 10-0 through tries by Jamie Abram and Ben Steele, plus Dylan Braddish’s goal.
The Miners, despite having Danny Dougherty sinbinned shortly before half-time for a slap, took the spoils through two Harry Watson tries and touchdowns for Harley Nelson, Lewis Smith and Ryan Starkie, with Grant Gainford landing four goals.
