National Two: Wilson Harrogate’s hero but late try ends Sandal victory bid

REPLACEMENT flanker Chris Wilson’s converted interception try enabled Harrogate to claim a 15-5 home win over Preston Grasshoppers.
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Driving rain created a torrid match where Preston took the lead when they stole a Harrogate defensive line-out, flanker Garth Drew drove strongly and lock Ally Murray was in support to score.

Tim Heaton controlled a driving maul to crash over and level and it was 5-5 at the break.

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Harrogate forward control kept them in Preston territory for most of the second half and an offside offence led to Lewis Minikin adding a penalty kicking them into the lead for the first time.

Harrogate rang the changes from the bench and each of the substitutes made significant contributions with Wilson proving the late hero.

A try in the last five minutes cost Sandal victory in their 15-13 home defeat by Broadstreet.

With the weather dominating, the visitors chose to use the conditions to their advantage in the first half. After an early penalty, Sandal took the lead with a try by No 8 Sam Whittingham following a rolling maul. However, the visitors led 10-5 at the break after a converted try to the right of the posts.

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After the break, Sandal pulled it back to 10-8 with a penalty from fly-half Greg Wood and then took the lead 13-10 with another rolling maul from 20 metres out that was capitalised on by flanker James Briscoe.

Sandal had a chance to wrap it up towards the end but fluffed a two-on-one from 10 metres and Broadstreet went down the other end to score in the corner and claim the win.

Huddersfield saw a half-time lead overturned after conceding three tries in the second half to lose 38-24 at home to leaders Macclesfield.

The hosts had a 17-11 advantage at half-time. An early try in the corner by Elliot Hodgson boosted Huddersfield’s hopes and the winger scored a second after the visitors had gone ahead 11-10. However, two tries in three minutes after half-time put the game in Macclesfield’s hands.

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Although Hodgson completed his hat-trick, the hosts were closed out in the final quarter.

Otley suffered a 13-12 home reverse at the hands of Tynedale in miserable conditions.

The visitors went into the game without an away win this season and a dour first 40 minutes saw them lead 3-0.

Otley took the lead with a try from prop Adam Blades, converted by Stephen Depledge, but Tynedale hit back with a try.

Otley continued to use their forwards effectively and added a second try when No 5 Jack Scott-Paul went over, but the game ultimately hinged on a successful kick for Tynedale which took the points.

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