Bircham goes in at double as Boro comfortably tame Tigers

MIDDLESBROUGH ran in six tries on their way to a convincing victory over Sheffield Tigers, who slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat.

The match was still there for the taking at half-time with hosts Middlesbrough only 10-3 ahead, but they ran away with the game in the second half with some good attacking play combined with excellent tackling.

After Tigers had taken the lead with a 17th-minute penalty from Tom Outram, Middlesbrough scrum-half Peter Wright touched down on 25 minutes and Callum Campbell added the conversion as well as a later penalty to put the home side ahead.

Six minutes after the break, second-row Ian Bradford touched down, and he repeated that feat four minutes later, this time Campbell adding the conversion which put Middlesbrough 22-3 ahead.

Left-winger Jack Bircham ensured a bonus point for Middlesbrough with his 69th-minute try, and he also bagged a second which Campbell converted in the next minute.

Finally, the sixth try for the hosts came in stoppage time from replacement winger Stuart Micklewright.

Stockport 10

Beverley 3

BEVERLEY paid the price for one dreadful lapse in defence to go down to a narrow defeat at league leaders Stockport.

The wet conditions meant the game was error-strewn and often scrappy, but it was exciting and enjoyable despite all that. It was a close-fought and even match throughout and the result could have gone either way.

Beverley started the stronger and took the lead with a penalty by fly-half Phil Duboulay after 24 minutes when Stockport were caught offside.

Within a minute of the restart Stockport drew level with an identical penalty from fly-half Matt Bebbington.

Beverley had the better of the first half with their pack producing plenty of good ball, but their backs were unable to make the most of several promising breaks.

With the slope in their favour in the second half, Stockport repeatedly kicked to the low corner and took the lead when Beverley failed to deal with a kick which had been chipped towards the corner. Beverley failed to gather the rolling ball and centre Craig Cooper pounced to touch down with Bebbington adding a fine conversion from the touchline.

Beverley fought hard to get back into it but, in spite of plenty of possession, they could make little impression mainly due to some fine Stockport defending aided by a good deal of sloppy handling in the Beverley midfield.