Gateshead blown away as Piper leads Cleckheaton to vital win

Cleckheaton played with the ‘hurricane’ at their backs in the first half and tries from Ross Hayden and two from Richard Piper opened up a decisive lead at the break.

Any kicks at goal were a complete lottery and Iain Gordon’s valiant attempts at conversions were blown off course.

The second half saw smart work from the home forwards and despite having the advantage of the elements Gateshead rarely ventured into Cleckheaton territory.

Two further tries for Jonno Marshall and Piper were a true reflection of the home side’s superiority and the crowd had been rewarded with a much-improved second-half performance with second-row Matt Beasty and veteran Steve Worsley outstanding.

Billingham 32 Sheffield 8

Billingham took the lead with a penalty by full-back Paul Evans, and when Sheffield had two players yellow carded the home side took full advantage with tries by Anthony Hyndman and Anthony Evans.

Paul Evans added a third try for Billingham, before Sheffield replied with a penalty by stand-off Donal Collins.

Billingham scored two further tries before Sheffield’s replacement left winger Ali Womack raced over for a consolation try.

Old Crossleyans 15 Northern 8

OLD Crossleyans recorded back-to-back wins for only the second time this season, seeing off fellow strugglers Northern.

Northern took a fifth-minute lead with a try from David Kay but hooker Richard Wheel levelled matters. Crossleyans stole a march when neat inter-passing allowed Wheel to break to the 22 and player-coach Chris Jones supported to run in under the posts, scrum-half Ed Cockroft adding the conversion.

Chris Borthwick pulled back a penalty for Northern just before half-time to make the score at the halfway stage 12-8. The second period was a dour struggle in difficult conditions, punctuated only by a second successful kick from Cockroft on 70 minutes. From that stage it was all about resolute defence for the hosts.

Durham City 34 Malton & Norton 29

Malton and Norton scored five tries to four but had to settle for a losing bonus point at Durham.

Malton took the lead with tries from centres Jarad Williams and Ryan Lonsdale, Ian Cooke converting.

Two missed tackles by Malton let Durham in for their first try, No 8 Howard Johnson getting the touchdown and Arnie Stevenson converting.

The first of two tries from flanker Jeff Roberts, converted by Stevenson, edged Durham ahead, but a Tom Newitt try levelled the scores and Cooke’s conversion put them back in front at 19-17.

Durham stretched their lead with tries from Roberts and Chris Metcalfe, before Malton replied with efforts from Alex Whitaker and Richard Webster.