Hayes dents Otley’s form while error-strewn ‘Gate edge home

With an increasing catalogue of injuries it took Otley seven minutes to get into the game, Chester having made a good start with a penalty following the kick-off but, after two penalties gave them an attacking lineout, they swung the ball wide, the forwards eventually taking over for hooker Ben Steele to score, fly-half Mark Ireland converting.

Three minutes later centre Richard Varkulis went over for Chester – the lead was to change hands ten times – and a quick response saw centre Chris Gemmell in at the corner, Ireland converting.

But it took only three minutes before the Chester forwards drove over from a five-metre line-out, No 7 Michael Caven grounding, Hayes converting. An Ireland penalty was answered by Hayes and a second penalty from Ireland secured a half-time lead.

Chester wasted no time in getting Varkulis in for his second try, Otley hitting back when full-back Arnold Ellison came up to score in the corner, Ireland again converting.

But then Hayes stepped forward in the final throes to kick Chester to victory.

Hull saw an early 16-point lead evaporate and were denied even a losing bonus as visitors Preston Grasshoppers took control to win 30-22.

Hull opened with a penalty by fly-half James Cameron, and four minutes later Cameron converted when winger Dominic Lespierre raced over for a try.

Cameron added two further penalties but when Hull were down to 14 men Preston fought their way back with two catch and drive tries, second row Will Lees and prop Dan Madden scoring on 26 and 34 minutes.

Penalties by Cameron either side of half-time saw Hull complete their scoring before Grasshoppers came back with tries by winger Matt Hughes, flanker Killian Wallace and centre Karl Fitzpatrick. Full-back Alex Roebuck converted the last try from in front of the posts, and his late penalty denied Hull a losing bonus.

Sheffield Tigers suffered a heavy defeat on the road to Darlington Mowden Park, losing 51-3.

Tigers competed in the first half and Will Carrington scored their only points of the game with a penalty after 25 minutes.

The Darlington side boasted lively backs and finished their chances well and went into the break leading 20-3 after running in four tries.

The second half was a different matter as Tigers lost two players to yellow cards and it was during this period that the damage was done as Mowden Park ran in another five tries.

Harrogate gave a stuttering, mistake ridden performance but moments of classy back play gave them a close 34-27 victory which they just about deserved.

Poor goal kicking cost Birmingham 11 points during the game, some of which were relatively straightforward opportunities.

After Joe Mogaji’s strength took him over in the corner, Harrogate responded with a Joe Rowntree penalty and long-range try from Harry Parrish. Ian Briggs crashed over to give the visitors a10-8 half-time lead.

The two teams shared six tries in the second half; Steve Leach and Brady, Rob Adair and Irvine for Gate, Steve Leach, Ashley Elvers and Harry Morley for the visitors.

With just two points in it, Irvine – whose running from deep created opportunities all game – intercepted a pass in his own half and raced 60 metres to secure a fourth win in five games for Gate.