Round-Up: Bateman kicks late win for Pontefract

Old Brodleians 28

Michael Bateman dropped a goal eight minutes into second-half injury time to give Pontefract their first victory since October 9 and revenge for a four-point defeat at the hands of Brodleians earlier in the season.

The visitors grabbed two tries from Jonjo Ward, both converted by Ollie Akroyd, to steam into a 0-14 lead. They then added a further converted score before Pontefract could hit back just before half-time with a Simon Spears try, Andy Dean converting.

After the interval Pontefract pulled back a quick penalty through Dean as Brodleianss scored their fourth converted try.

However, with the wind in their favour Dean made use of his kicks, first with a penalty, then converting his own try before kicking another goal and a Matty Williams try brought the two sides level at 28-28. Full-back Bateman then held his nerve to slot over the drop-goal that earned the hosts the points.

Percy Park 41

Old Crossleyans 12

Old Crossleyans slipped to defeat at second-placed Percy Park after being forced to field a side missing five first-team regulars due to illness and injury.

Crossleyans competed well but found themselves 19-0 down at the break against the wind after conceding three tries and two conversions.

Unfortunately for the visitors just as they appeared on the brink of scoring early in the second half, a loose pass was intercepted by Park full-back Ashley Smith who ran the length of the field to score and increase the lead to 24-0.

That was extended with a further try before Crossleyans got on the scoresheet, flanker Boj Sembi crossing to make it 29-5.

Percy Park struck twice more but even with the game lost, the visitors refused to give up and teenage scrum-half Will Travis grabbed a try, prop Rory Davis adding the conversion.

Cleckheaton 34

Durham City 13

After the enforced weather break of the last few weeks Cleckheaton ran out cconvincing winners because of their clinical finishing and determined defence.

Iain Gordon opened the scoring with a penalty, hooker Steve Worsley scored the game's first try, with Gordon adding the conversion.

City's Jeff Roberts reduced the arrears with a penalty and a Richard Knowles try which Roberts converted.

Cleckheaton took control with tries from scrum-half Olly Depledge, winger Martin Woodhead (2), Ed Chappelow – plus two Gordon conversions – to earn another five points and keep the pressure on the League's top two teams.

The visitors' only response was a Jeff Roberts penalty.

Driffield 25

Carlisle 26

AFTER kick-starting their league campaign with a win over Yorkshire rivals Old Crossleyans the previous week, Driffield went down to a single-point defeat at home against Carlisle as their Jekyll and Hyde season continued.

The Cumbria side led all the way, but had their backs against the wall late in the game when they had two men in the sin-bin. While they had extra men Driffield ran in two tries, but just failed to overhaul the visitors.

Driffield's early points came from a try for scrum-half Craig Gray, converted by Lee Birch who also kicked two penalties.

Centre Alisdair McLarron touched down on 69 minutes, but the conversion was missed. Then six minutes later Craig Gray added his second try. This time Birch was on target with the conversion.

Wheatley Hills 50

Hartlepool Rovers 10

WHEATLEY Hills maintained their push for the title with an emphatic eight-try victory over bottom of the table Hartlepool Rovers at York Road on Saturday.

The Doncaster side opened their account when hooker Mark Cahill crashed over and winger Jamie Webb crossed, Rovers replying with fly-half Chris Sainty's penalty.

After the break Wheatley extended their lead with tries from No 8 Byron Elliott (2), Webb, second row Andrew Penno (2), and centre Michael Hayward. Stewart Grazier went over for Hartlepool.