Leeds Tykes maintain unbeaten start but Sheffield push them so close

The Abbeydale outfit were determined to give the Tykes a hard battle and could’ve leapfrogged them in the table with a big win, but it was a cagey affair throughout and one that ultimately the former Premiership side clinched.

Sheffield drew first blood with hooker Rhodri Campbell crashing over and scrum-half Elliot Fisher converting. That 27th minute try proved to be the only score in the first half, but nine minutes into the second period Leeds hit back with centre Charlie Venables scoring an unconverted try.

The Tykes finally took the lead on 66 minutes with hooker Adam Brown touching down, but again the extras were missed, and when Sheffield’s Matt Adcock claimed his side’s second try on 71 minutes they led 12-10.

However, James Watts’ late penalty proved decisive as Leeds edged ahead when it mattered.

Rotherham Titans slipped to third in the National One table after losing out 45-34 at home against Bishop’s Stortford.

The visitors enjoyed a strong first half and were 35-8 ahead with five tries in the bag, while Rotherham’s only points came from a James Cooke try and a Ritchie Hayes penalty.

Rotherham hit back in the second period, but it wasn’t enough to claw their way back.

Scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier (2), winger Tomasi Tanumi and flanker Harry Newborn scored tries for the Titans while Hayes added three conversions.

Wharfedale enjoyed a strong performance at home against Billingham, running out 40-17 winners.

Two tries from winger Rian Hamilton and five conversions from stand-off Rob Davidson underpinned the victory, while other tries for the Greens came from full-back Harry Bullough, winger Brad Viner, scrum-half Oliver Riddiough and second row Elliot Stockton.

Hull Ionians were 33-20 winners over Sheffield Tigers to further climb away from the bottom end of the table.

Tries flowed from scrum-half Sam Pocklington, second row Joe Makin, centre Josh Britton, sub Josh McDaniel and No 8 George Mewburn, while Lewis Minikin kicked four conversions.

Tigers’ tries came from wingers Louis Redfern-Brown and James Norman, with Mark Ireland kicking both conversions and a couple of penalties, but it wasn’t enough.

Hooker Harry Butler scored twice and scrum-half Sam Connor also touched down, but it wasn’t enough for Otley who lost out 53-22 at Cheshire side Lymm.

Second row Jack Gilmartin scored for Harrogate who were also awarded a penalty try, but they too suffered defeat, losing 61-14 at Fylde.

Elsewhere, Hull were also beaten on the road, 45-29 at Preston Grasshoppers.

Second-placed Sandal’s ran in four tries on their way to a 30-21 home win over Alnwick which sees them maintain the pressure on leaders Scunthorpe in Regional One North East.

Huddersfield’s big 48-21 win over Cleckheaton left them third, while York lost pace following a 20-10 loss at Heath.

Driffield were 16-13 winners over Blaydon, while Ilkley handed out a 52-27 drubbing to Selby.

Former leaders Old Brodleians were beaten 39-18 by rivals Rochdale, who leapfrogged them into top spot in Regional Two North East.

Bradford Salem were 25-22 winners at Malton and Norton and go third, while elsewhere Morley were 35-10 winners over bottom of the table Doncaster Phoenix.

Moortown narrowly won 31-27 at home against Pontefract, while Wetherby were 27-13 winners at Old Crossleyans and Scarborough beat hosts Goole 27-21.

North Ribblesdale maintained their 100 per cent record in Counties One Yorkshire with another five-point win, beating Hullensians 68-24.