Packard hat-trick ensures Tigers repel spirited fightback by YMCA

Leaders Sandal found Lymm hard to handle at first. Prop Luke Norbury cancelled out an early try by the visitors and a second successful kick from Mark Pease squared things again at 10-10.

Once gain Lymm went in front but Simon Frewin’s try and Pease’s penalty saw Sandal edge in front 18-17 at the break. Prop Josh Bayford extended the lead and even though Lymm fought back Joe Bedford’s try and Pease’s late penalty ensured victory.

Morley lost 13-8 at home to Burnage, who denied them possession in a gruelling pack battle.

Winger Bradley Marshall put Morley in front but they were 8-5 down at the break and even though Dante van der Merwe struck a penalty, Burnage again went over.

Huddersfield YMCA recovered from 17-0 down to take the lead but lost 29-21 at home to Sheffield Tigers.

Tigers romped through the first half with three tries and a conversion before YMCA hit back with tries from Simon Wilson and Adam Ryder, converted by Gavin Stead.

Second-row Jack Howsley crashed over to put the hosts 21-17 up but Sheffield’s Henri Packard grabbed his hat-trick try and full-back Peter Swatkins completed a Tigers win.

Cleckheaton maintained their 100 per cent home record in a 
24-18 win against Billingham.

Hindered by enforced team changes the side displayed character to earn a bonus-point win to take them to sixth.

Ross Hayden soon claimed possession on the halfway line to speed through a hesitant defence and touch down out wide and then converted.

Billingham responded with a try from Dan Finney converted by Peter Evans and the half ended at 12-12 following tries from Callum Thompson for the hosts and Peter Evans for the visitors.

Cleckheaton pack’s dominance led to two further tries from Hayden and a penalty try. Billingham replied with two penalties from Evans.

Beverley made a remarkable fightback from 40-6 down to get to within nine points of victory at Rossendale but were left empty-handed at 40-32.

Rossendale led 28-6 at the interval through converted tries by Paddy Pole, Anthony Bingham, Jamie Albinson and Alex Isherwood to two penalties by Phil Duboulay.

Tries from Albinson and George Peel, one converted by James Bramhall, looked to have taken the game beyond Beverley’s reach but they fought back through tries by Mike Kilgannon, Junior Tupai, Richard Bussey and Kris Renwick, Duboulay adding three conversions.