Litt provides inspiration which points Bees towards triumph

NATIONAL THREE NORTH/MIDLANDS

BRADFORD & BINGLEY 11

DARLINGTON MP 7

This game had been built up to be match of the day in this division and more than lived up to expectation as two evenly-matched squads gave absolutely everything in a game which was very much alive until the very last breath.

The scoring was opened on 11 minutes by Darlington's left winger Matt Lister who scorched around the Bees' defence, his side not really having seen the ball in the opening exchanges.

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The Bees' usually unstoppable points machine Gavin Stead had already missed three kicks at goal before that score, but the conversion from Gavin Painter saw the visitors seven points up.

Stead's penalty had pulled the Wagon Lane side back to 7-3 and the Bees continued to bump and barge away at a smothering Mowden Park defence.

It took a moment of inspiration from Grant Litt for the home side to finally unpick the lock on 21 minutes.

Litt jinked inside a wrong-footed defender and tore up the right hand side of the field. As a swarm of defenders threatened to catch the stand-off, he found scrum-half Richard Scull in support.

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Scull launched himself over the tryline just as the defenders closed in on him. Stead could not tack on the extras and it was 8-7 to the Bees at the break.

The second half saw Mowden Park have the lion's share of territory and possession and the home side having to defend.

As the game wore on, the Bees finally saw some ball outside their own 22 but could not fashion any scoring opportunities to allow themselves any kind of cushion.

As regulation time expired a second penalty in quick succession, from 35 metres out, gave Stead the opportunity to increase the lead to four points.

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Stead slotted the penalty, but this was still not enough to allow his side to breathe any easier as a visiting try would have allowed Darlington to steal home and increase the pressure on the home side.

Bees' nerves jangled as the kick-off was dropped and Mowden Park recovered the ball just outside the home 22.

Fortunately for the home side, nothing came from that single remaining opportunity and the referee's whistle finally ended any hope of a late victory and brought an end to a thoroughly entertaining 80 minutes.

BEVERLEY 17

CHESTER 15

BEVERLEY held their nerve to secure a narrow victory after a thrilling encounter.

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After a bright opening Beverley fell behind when Chester's winger intercepted in his own half and raced 60 metres for a try against the run of play. Fly-half Rhys Hayes converted before hooker John Gill added a second try.

Despite their possession, Chester failed to add further to their score and turned round 12-0 up with the advantage of a stiff breeze in the second period.

Beverley restarted with renewed vigour, completely knocking Chester off their stride.

Sam Montague scored a spectacular try to get Beverley back into it and, despite Hayes's penalty again taking Chester two scores clear, Beverley continued to control the second half.

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Fine interpassing sent Beverley centre Junior Tupai racing to the posts for a try converted by Phil Dale which reduced the lead to just three points and, in an exciting finish, Beverley secured the victory they just about deserved with the winning try from second row Frayley Hopa after the pack drove to the line.

BILLINGHAM 20

MIDDLESBROUGH 3

MIDDLESBROUGH'S National Three campaign suffered a setback when fellow strugglers Billingham ran out winners.

Strong defending from the home side left Middlesbrough struggling for a way through the line, and although they were still in it at half-time at 8-3, Billingham always looked in control and stifled any fightback.

Fly-half John Evans kicked a penalty after 13 minutes when Middlesbrough hooker Richard Horton was penalised for lying on the back, and he received a yellow card for his troubles.

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Full-back Simon O'Farrell pulled the scores level on 25 minutes with a penalty, awarded after Billingham were caught offside at a ruck, but the home side hit back five minutes from the break with prop David Dixon touching down after quickly jinking through between the wing and the centre after finding an overlap.

With the wind slightly behind them after the break, Middlesbrough started well, so it was against the run of play when centre Joe Evans touched down for Billingham on 55 minutes after a good three-quarters move made enough space to break.

John Evans added the conversion, and suddenly Middlesbrough were 15-3 behind.

Seven minutes from the whistle Billingham secured a third try with Dixon touching down after a forwards drive which went unconverted, but it mattered little to either side.

SHEFFIELD TIGERS 36

KENILWORTH 3

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Sheffield Tigers continued their impressive climb up the National Three Midlands table when they ran in six tries to one in a comprehensive victory.

It was their eighth straight league win since they were beaten 30-17 by Kenilworth on their own ground in October, and they now lie fourth with a match in hand over all three teams above them.

Tigers went ahead in the eighth minute with a try by winger Gareth Morley, converted by Jonny West, and they added a second by prop Sam Lockwood before Kenilworth pulled back what proved to be their lone penalty by Adam Canning.

Lockwood scored again within a minute of the restart, West converting, and, after 20 minutes without a score, second row Gregor Hayter finally broke through to put the home side 24-3 in front with a bonus-point fourth try.

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Lockwood then completed his hat-trick of tries, and with four minutes remaining replacement No 8 Frank Wragg crashed over for a try which West converted.

After their disappointing start to the season, Tigers are in with a good chance of a top-three finish, especially if they can complete a season's double next Saturday over Old Northamptonians, away from home.