Rotherham Titans lost out 22-15 at National One title rivals Blackheath on Saturday, ending a seven-match winning streak which has put them top of the table.

Strong defence from Blackheath helped them gain revenge for defeat at Clifton Lane back in November when Rotherham won 24-19, and leaves the Yorkshire side just one point clear of second-placed Plymouth Albion with Blackheath now third.

The home side were 12-0 ahead following two early tries before the Titans got off the mark with centre Lloyd Hayes touching down after 15 minutes, and the 12-5 scoreline stood until the break.

Blackheath extended their lead to 17-5 with their third try nine minutes into the second period, before a penalty from left winger Jackson Barling narrowed the gap for Rotherham.

placeholder image — Rotherham Titans players

Another try for Blackheath gave them a bonus point, while the Yorkshire side grabbed a losing bonus point with Barling scoring and converting on 74 minutes.

Leeds Tykes suffered a 62-31 defeat at Dings Crusaders, denting their hopes of climbing into the top half of the National One table.

First-half tries came from second row Seth Ely and prop Will Dennis for the Yorkshire side with stand-off Ed Crossland converting both, but they were already 26-14 behind at the break.

Crusaders hit the ground running in the second half with three converted tries in six minutes, leaving the Tykes shell-shocked.

Right winger William Yates pulled back a try and Crossland converted on 50 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Dings with further tries from outside centre Matt Salisbury and full-back Charlie Venables still leaving Leeds short.

With nine wins and 13 defeats this campaign, Leeds are ninth in the table – seven points clear of second-bottom Clifton.

Hull Ionians were trailing 20-7 at half-time – but hit back in style to beat hosts Sheffield Tigers 24-23 in National Two North.

A converted try and penalty in the final ten minutes saw the East Yorkshire side snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Dore Moor.

Left-winger Will Wood scored after two minutes and stand-off Ben Smith converted as Ionians drew first blood, but Tigers hit back with first half tries from right winger Miles Dodsworth and centre Jamie Broadley, full-back Jamie Rudd kicking both conversions and two penalties for a good lead at the break.

Full-back James Watts pulled back a try on 46 minutes for the visitors and Smith converted, but another penalty from Rudd left Tigers ahead at 23-14.

But sub’ Archie Upton’s 72nd-minute try was converted by Smith, who later kicked a penalty to secure the win with just two minutes left.

Rudd had a last minute shot at goal for Tigers, but it went wide.

League leaders Sheffield maintained their great run of form with a 55-31 victory at Scunthorpe.

Left-winger Christian Hooper ran in a hat-trick of tries for the South Yorkshire side. His first came after just six minutes and was followed by flanker Felix Crapper’s first, stand-off Callum Posa converting both.

Hooper’s second came on 27 minutes, Posa converting, while right winger Lewis Taylor and full-back George Castledine added other scores to take control.

Early in the second half Hooper scored his third, and other flowed from No 8 Zak Poole, sub Will Archer and a second for Crapper.

Wharfedale beat visiting Hull 43-31, while hosts Otley lost 29-11 to Preston Grasshoppers.