EAST LEEDS’ unbeaten record at the head of the section was under real threat midway through the second period at BARROW ISLAND, who were level at 20-20 and seeking a fifth successive win.
The visitors, though, recorded a 28-20 victory through James Duckworth’s hat-trick try and, a minute from time, Jake Normington’s second touchdown.
Ryan Wooffitt had opened Easts’ account, while George Clarke kicked two goals. The Island had been level through tries by Shane Sanderson, Carl McBain and Kai Williams, with Fin Dutton-Rosconie and Ellis Archer both landing two goals.
Normington and Trent Ruddy (of Barrow Island) were sinbinned early in the second period for a disagreement.
DEWSBURY CELTIC leapfrogged CLOCK FACE MINERS, who had been targeting a fifth successive win, with a 44-20 triumph.
Celtic, who had been pegged back from 12-0 in front to only 18-14 ahead at the break, closed with a Josh Frain hat-trick, a Dane Windrow brace and tries for Paul Foulstone, Casey Canterbury, Bailey Arnold and Billy Yarrow, supported by four Jordan Hirst goals.
Danny Tabern crossed twice for the Miners, Brandon Lewis and Harrison Rigby nipped over, and Lewis Geraghty added two conversions.
SKIRLAUGH, in ending an eight-match losing run with a 40-26 win over DRIGHLINGTON, have risen off the foot of the table to third-from-bottom.
The sides were level at 22-22 early in the final quarter but the Hull outfit secured the points with tries by Kieron Smith, Will Wigglesworth and Josh Atkinson, with Smith landing the last three of his six goals. Luke Barnes scored a late consolation touchdown for the visitors, before Atkinson was sinbinned for ‘instigation’.
Tom Gray and Loch Fitzgerald had bagged a brace apiece in the first half for Skirlaugh, while Drighlington were level through a try and three goals for Max Liddemore, two touchdowns for Rhys Riddiford, and an Alfie Ward effort.
THORNHILL, in ending a six-match losing run with a 28-20 verdict at NORMANTON, are four points clear of the relegation zone. The Knights, meanwhile, have lost three games on the hoof and have slipped out of the top six.
The Knights’ cause wasn’t helped by yellow cards for high tackles by Ben Taylor (47 minutes) and Mark Poppleton (53) after the sides had been level at 14-14.
Normanton had to settle for a Josh Green brace and tries by Taylor Carter and Elliot Davey, plus two Jacob Crossland goals.
Thornhill astutely fielded Johnny Campbell, who crossed twice, at stand-off. Sam Ratcliffe and Oli Boocock also nipped over and Ratcliffe landed six goals.
PILKINGTON RECS, who won 30-18 at relegation-haunted HULL DOCKERS, are fourth in the standings after a third successive win.
The Dockers, who never quite recovered after leaking two converted tries in the opening quarter by Jamie Smith, have now lost six games on the hoof and remain in the drop zone.
Danny Suddaby improved Dockers’ touchdowns by Harvey Harrison, Kallum Birch and Dave Bade; Pilks’ Smith, meanwhile, completed a hat-trick, with Jake Topping and Harry Coleman adding touchdowns and Kyran Knapper booting five goals.
ELLENBOROUGH are the new cellar dwellers after going down to a fifth successive defeat with a 46-10 reverse at the hands of Cumbrian rivals HENSINGHAM.
The Hens, who are in the top six courtesy of a third successive win, were 46-0 up before Elbra posted consolation tries for Louis Fearon and Kai Gilhespy, the second of which Brett Stevenson converted.
Ben Pearce (with an early brace), Fletcher Holgate, Matt Williams, Reuben Butterworth, Jordan Pritt, Adam Williamson and Jaylen Conway popped in for the visitors and Williamson slammed seven goals.
