Four-try blitz puts Castleford on course

With leaders Wheatley Hills being held to a draw and second-placed Sheffield losing by one point, Castleford put themselves within reach of promotion when they continued their revival with a 34-10 victory at Bradford Salem.

Castleford turned round 10-7 down but dominated the second half with a four-try blitz.

Salem had opened with a try by flanker Jamie Booth, converted by Jonathan Davies, Castleford equalising when second-row Dave Reed touched down and Carl Paterson converted.

A penalty by Davies just on half-time put Salem back in front, but they had no answer as captain Chris Willett at No 8, scrum-half Dan Price and prop Steve Johnson ran in tries. Paterson landed a penalty and then intercepted to score and convert his own try.

Wheatley Hills drew with Dinnington, whose try came from winger Dave Longstaff. Darren Cannadine kicked a conversion and penalty and Danny Wilkinson also added a penalty.

Player-coach Dan Storey kicked two penalties and converted Tom Buckenham's try.

Yarnbury beat Sheffield 17-16 with centre Dan Thompson, captain Mark Dixon and centre Jason Avison touching down.

York moved ahead of their rivals into fourth place with a 9-6 win on penalties at Bridlington. Jamie Muru kicked Bridlington ahead but was then injured and Steve Mellonby's penalty put the home side 6-0 ahead at half-time.

York's stand-off Paul Williams kicked three second-half penalties, the last just before the final whistle.

Keighley moved level with York with a 19-12 home win over Selby, scoring all their points without reply in the first half. Flanker Dave Pullen, full-back Mark Beckett and hooker Will Armitage scored tries, two converted by centre Alex Brown. Selby replied with a try by Alex Webster, converted by Chris Quinn, and another just before full time by winger Alex Arthur.

Malton and Norton's five-match winning run came to an end when they were edged out 22-20 by Heath. Malton had a chance to snatch it when they were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds, but Keei Piawi missed the difficult kick.

Scarborough ran out 31-0 winners over Skipton, back row Chris Purdy running in two of their four tries.