Bircham on target as Boro press Hills

The only score of the first half came when Sheffield were awarded a penalty try which stand-off Donal Collins converted.

Malton replied midway through the second half with a penalty by winger Teei Piawi.

Sheffield are still in fifth place, but are just one point behind Percy Park, who salvaged a bonus point in a 16-9 defeat at Durham City.

Wheatley Hills, still in second position, saw their margin over third-placed Middlesbrough eroded to just one point as the visitors emerged 28-5 winners and secured a four-try bonus.

Wheatley dominated the first 30 minutes and went ahead when full-back Jonathan Woodcock touched down.

But Middlesbrough came back strongly as half-time approached to lead 14-5 with tries by prop Chapman and full-back Ross O’Neill, both converted by Jack Bircham.

Middlesbrough’s forwards dominated in the second half. They increased their lead 10 minutes after the break with a try by scrum-half Peter Wright, converted by Bircham, who made it four out of four in the windy conditions when Middlesbrough prop Philip Harland touched down from a forward maul.

Cleckheaton shared the points in a 17-17 draw at home to bottom-placed Team Northumbria.

Playing with a strong wind in their favour, Cleckheaton scored tries through winger James Wilson, Richard Piper and Ed Chappelow but Iain Gordon converted only one.

The students slowly but surely closed the deficit and they launched one final effort and were justly rewarded with the equalising converted try.

Leaders Billingham piled on the agony for Old Crossleyans, whose winless run was extended to five games with this 26-0 away defeat.

A strong cross-field wind proved troublesome in the first half and the visitors were 7-0 down after seven minutes, with Billingham exerting relentless pressure. The advantage was extended to 12-0 before Crossleyans were able to stem the flow temporarily.

However, they were 19-0 down at the break after Billingham’s third try was scored by No 8 Mike Evans and converted by brother Peter.

The elements favoured Cross in the second half and they improved before the leaders scored their final try through full-back Evans, who converted.

Old Brodleians slipped to a fifth successive league defeat, losing their way in the second half and suffering a 21-0 defeat at Morpeth.

The hosts led 5-0 at the break and Brods were well in the game but struggled to gain enough possession to make a telling contribution in attack.

Instead, some weak tackling in midfield proved costly as they conceded a further two tries in quick succession and a brace of penalties took the game out of reach.