Ilkley heroics too much for Billingham

Ilkley pulled off the biggest shock result of the campaign.

Billingham had taken over from leaders Sandal and boasted the highest points for tally and the lowest points against.

The visitors raced into an 8-0 lead but Ilkley refused to bow to the pressure and just before half-time Simon Smith went over and Peter Shanks landed the conversion.

The turning point came early in the second period when winger Charlie Cudworth sprinted in to put Ilkley in front. The boot of Shanks kept the scoreboard ticking over and two long-range penalties put the home side 18-8 in front.

Billingham scored a try before Shanks made it 21-13. With five minutes to go, Billingham ran in another try but Ilkley held on.

Morpeth 7

Sandal 10

Sandal ground out a result on a heavy pitch and then found they had gone back to the top thanks to Ilkley.

The visitors were on top throughout but conditions made running rugby difficult.

Greg Wood kicked them into the lead but the fly-half had to leave the pitch injured and was replaced by 19-year-old Tom Hodson.

Sandal kept probing but against the run of play, Morpeth took the lead with a converted try on their first attack.

In the second half, Sandal's pack got on top and it was they who clinched the game with a pushover try touched down by Rob Overton. Hodson rounded off an impressive display with a well-struck conversion.

Old Crossleyans 16

Pontefract 17

THIS looked a home banker but spirited play by the visitors against a Crossleyans side hit by injuries produced a surprise Pontefract win.

They took an early lead when second-row Dan Brady muscled his way over and Andy Dean landed the conversion.

Crossleyans gradually worked their way back and three penalties from Ed Crockroft put them in front and just before half-time he added a conversion when Neil Richardson raced into a space created by Chris Jones to score a fine try.

The home side came out for the second half looking to build on their 16-7 advantage, but with three first-team forwards unable to start, they lost two more and their full-back and Pontefract took full advantage.

Glen Boyd landed a penalty and Pontefract gave up the chance of two kickable penalties to put pressure on the home line and were rewarded in the 72nd minute when player-coach Derek Eves went over to give Boyd a simple match-winning kick.

Durham City 7

Driffield 44

Driffield, previously level with Durham, moved clear of their rivals into fourth place.

The Woldsmen also moved ahead of Old Crossleyans on scoring difference after one of their best displays of the season.

They opened a 25-0 lead and prevented Durham from getting into the game, going ahead with a try by full-back Lee Birch. He missed the conversion but added a penalty before converting Driffield's second try by winger Alistair McClarron.

James Short on the opposite wing raced over, Birch converting before kicking his second penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Scrum-half Chris Gray went over 10 minutes after the restart, Birch again adding the points, and Driffield put the game beyond reach as outside centre Tom Wright sprinted over for two tries, the latter converted by Birch.

Durham came back to score with the last play of the game.

Percy Park 9

Old Brodlieans 9

Both sides struggled to come to terms with a heavy pitch.

Ollie Ackroyd landed two penalties in the first half to give the visitors a 6-3 advantage as they turned round. But with 15 minutes to go, Brodleians found themselves on the back foot, trailing 9-6.

It was left to Ackroyd to earn his side a point with a super goal from just inside the Park half.