Richardson's try plus stout defence key

North East One

Old Crossleyans 18

Old Brodleians 15

Neil Richardson's second -half try proved decisive in a tense, hard-fought derby that could have gone either way.

Having missed an early penalty, Ollie Ackroyd kicked the visitors in front in the 11th minute and they stretched their lead to 8-0 midway through the half when centre Johnny Hotham went over.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having been second best, Crossleyans started to find their rhythm and a try from flanker Manny Riaz and a penalty from Ed Cockroft squared things before the interval.

The second half was an even affair. Cockroft landed a penalty in the first minute and after a sustained spell of good rugby, Richardson raced over for a try and Cockroft landed the conversion to make it 18-8.

Brodleians piled on the pressure in the closing stages and Chris Hartley raised their hopes with a try converted by Ackroyd to put them within three points. But a combination of poor finishing and stout Crossleyans defence allowed the home side to hang on to the victory.

Pontefract 7

Simon Smith scored two tries as Ilkley notched only their second victory of the season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Both sides had played the previous weekend without managing a point between them, but Ilkley produced the attacking form they had not shown previously and by the end Pontefract were well beaten.

Chad Shepherd gave the home side an early lead but a penalty try converted by Glen Boyd edged the visitors in front.

But there was to be no stopping Ilkley. Winger Richard Greenfield, centre Smith and hooker Peter Healey ran in tries before the break with Peter Shanks adding a conversion to turn them round 22-7 in front.

With Ilkley's defence holding firm, Pontefract gradually ran out of ideas and Smith's second try and two penalties by Shanks clinched a much-needed win.

Hartlepool Rovers 15

Sandal 12

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hartlepool showed the benefit of getting a game under their belt the previous week and raced into a 12-0 lead inside 10 minutes with two tries and a conversion.

Sandal finally ran off their ring rustiness and managed to haul themselves back into the contest before the break with two penalties from Greg Wood.

It became an even contest and Sandal's hopes were raised when Wood slotted home two more kicks to level the scores.

The visitors had plenty of pressure but were unable to turn it into tries and Rovers edged ahead with a stoppage-time penalty.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wood had one last chance to square things but his long-range kick fell just short.

It was Sandal's second defeat of the season and allowed Billingham to take over at the top on points difference.

Driffield 45

Darlington 8

TRAILING 8-5 at half-time, Driffield woke up after the break and turned in a super 40 minutes of rugby, running in seven tries on their way to victory.

The visitors touched down and kicked a penalty to take an 8-0 lead, but Driffield opened their account five minutes from the interval when Ali McLarron broke away and sent full-back Lee Birch in for a try.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After the break, Driffield were quickly into their stride with outside centre Tom Wright touching down and fly-half Jordan McGregor

adding the conversion on 50 minutes.

McGregor then converted his own try before flanker John Dervey added another to take the score to 22-8 and suddenly Driffield were in control.

Second-row Rob Hamilton was next to touch down, and the wingers were not to be left out of the try-scoring with Harvey Harding and McLarron both crossing late in the game to give the score some gloss.

Related topics: