Harrogate’s Parsons powers in as Hull ease relegation fears

Their efficient first-half performance gave them a 26-7 lead at the interval and four tries had secured the important bonus point.

The second half was a more scrappy affair but the visitors, inspired by second-row Nick Murphy, competed strongly throughout before losing 38-7.

Harrogate mounted backs attacks from the start but handling mistakes denied them a score until flanker Noel Minikin crashed over from a driving maul. Joe Rowntree converted.

Shortly afterwards, a strong run by Steve Parsons was supported by Sam Bottomley and Rowntree again converted to make it 14-0 after 15 minutes.

The attacking pattern followed and Aarin Yorke tucked in behind a driving maul for the next try.

A Dudley counter-attack was judged to have been stopped illegally and Bottomley was despatched to the sin-bin. The ball was spread left from the penalty and winger Liam Marshall scored a try converted by Gareth Bown.

Chris Wilson then stole a line-out and Parsons powered through to score a converted try from 30 metres.

From the restart, a dazzling break by Callum Irvine was carried on by Parsons and Rowntree. Bottomley, who had returned to the fray, burst through for his second converted try.

Another powerful run by Parsons set up Harrogate’s final try, Harry Parrish showing speed and tenacity in support for the score.

Revitalised Otley found the touch which had deserted them over recent weeks as they defeated Sedgley Park 14-12 at home.

Acting captain Stephen Depledge took over kicking duties with great success, in the continued absence of Mark Ireland.

The scrum-half was a bundle of energy throughout, prompting his forwards, who never let up. It was Depledge’s break which set up an early score, securing a penalty to provide a five-metre line-out from where, after the drive was blocked, the ball was released for Nazir Karim to cross wide out.

Park reacted strongly, levelling on 22 minutes with a try from winger Andrew Riley but three penalties from Depledge secured a vital nine-point lead.

The visitors got substitute winger Tahir El Mahdi over late on, flyhalf Steven Collins converting, but Otley held on.

Hull secured a thrilling and well-deserved 33-26 win over higher-placed Caldy to further ease their relegation worries.

They trailed 12-5 at half-time with only a late try from centre Ben Thoy to show for their efforts.

Caldy had got off to a good start with centre Gavin Roberts touching down and, after fly-half Richard Vasey had converted, winger Matt Van Sertima added a second try in the corner.

After the break, Hull hit back and after a good crossfield move, full-back Jamie Barnard scored in the corner and fly-half Greg Lound converted. Second-row Phil Murphy touched down from close range on 54 minutes, Lound converting to put Hull 19-12 ahead.

Two minutes later, winger Dominic Lespierre broke clear and was set to score but he was felled in the tackle and a penalty try was awarded, which Lound converted.

Hull’s lead was narrowed on the hour-mark when Roberts scored and Vasey converted.

Joe Stafford added Hull’s final try from a pushover and Lound’s conversion made it 33-19.

Caldy, in search of a losing bonus point as well as a four-try bonus, pressed and centre Dominic Kohler crashed over and Vasey’s conversion ensured they got their rewards.