Bees get their reward as Gate stride forward

The introduction of Phil Greaves at No 10 gave the Bees a better balance as they had someone with the experience and a huge boot to get them back into opposition territory.

Richard Tafa got the scoreboard ticking over in the third minute after a Richard Scull chip. Scull added a penalty on 17 minutes, with Lymm getting one back on the half-hour mark.

Tafa broke straight up the middle with four or five Lymm players bouncing off him before he offloaded to Martyn Mitchell. Scull and Tom Bills kicked the Bees further in front before Tom Kanouros latched on to a stray ball and run clear for another five-pointer.

Tafa scored his 11th try of the season and Guy Ford crashed over from short range for the final score.

Fluent Harrogate put workmanlike Birkenhead to the sword in a 57-8 win.

Full-back Rob Almond set up most of their counter-attacks and Noel Minikin grabbed four of Harrogate’s nine tries.

Jimmy Browne drove over for the first try converted by Calum Irvine. After conceding the next two scores Harrogate trailed, but that kicked them into gear with Minkin scoring his first.

Nathan Smith crossed twice before a brilliant Irvine midfield break created room for Almond to dance over.

Still Park tried to compete but a great Irvine interception again turned defence into attack and Oli Denton scored a fine converted try to round off the scoring.

Sandal produced a dominant display in the forwards to wrap-up a comprehensive 31-5 victory at Billingham.

It was Sandal’s first back-to-back success on the road this season. The first points were scored when full-back Tom Coad produced a superb individual try, beating a number of tacklers in a 30-metre dash.

The lead was extended after a number of phases created an overlap for Dave Martin to cross the line. Greg Wood added his second conversion before landing a penalty to take the half-time score to 17-0. Joe Allott was then put clear from 60 metres for the third try.

Billingham hit back with a try but there was to be no late revival. Sandal finished off a thoroughly professional display when lock Austen Thompson drove over the line from a ruck.