National Two North: Sharp dismissal adds to Huddersfield woes as Sandal strike back in derby

Sandal had failed to win a game in 2016 and badly needed a response against the bottom side in the table.

However, after the hosts had taken the lead with a penalty from Greg Wood, it was Huddersfield who started to look a threat.

The visitors were ahead at the break following a try by prop Alex Battye, converted by Joel Hinchliffe.

Huddersfield added to that advantage straight after the interval when Battye was allowed to go over for his second try and the advantage was extended to 12-3.

Sandal stayed in touch with a second penalty to reduce the arrears to six points. Then, with eight minutes remaining, space opened for fly-half Wood to cut his way through the defence for a try and he converted to put Sandal ahead.

Sandal controlled the remainder of the game. A fiery end saw a flare-up in which Huddersfield captain Nick Sharp received a red card to compound the misery of a third straight defeat.

Otley held on to take victory by a point in a thrilling 20-19 win at home to Chester.

They went into the game with just one win against bottom club Huddersfield in the league this season.

Otley have been displaying solid home form of late, though, and this was evident in the first half as they established a 15-9 lead with tries from hooker Ben Steel and flanker Matt Heaton. Stephen Depledge added a conversion and a penalty.

After the interval, they went further ahead with their third try, courtesy of captain Depledge, but he failed to add the conversion. There were nervous times to follow as Chester pulled back a penalty and then a converted try to move within a point, but Otley shut the door for the remaining minutes.

Devon Constant scored a converted try in the dying moments to send Harrogate to a 13-12 home defeat against Leicester Lions.

Sam Bottomley scored the opening try after a break by Callum Irvine but Williams replied with a penalty.

Charlie Purkiss-McEndoo was held up just short before Lions No 8 Joe Collingham was sin-binned. Harrogate failed to capitalise and it was 5-3 at the break.

Harrogate continued to dominate possession but an offside offence led to Williams’s penalty giving Leicester the lead.

Irvine gathered a 22 drop out and scored wide out and Lewis Minikin’s conversion put them 12-6 ahead with 10 minutes remaining but the Lions hit back.