ROUND UP: New-boys Wheatley prove no push-overs

North East One

Wheatley Hills made a winning return to level six rugby when they beat visitors Driffield 20-14 at York Road.

After several years in Yorkshire One, Wheatley achieved promotion thanks largely to former player-coach Dan Storey, but on Saturday's performance it looks likely they will continue their good form thanks to new player-coach Dave Scully, the former England Sevens and Doncaster, Rotherham and Wakefield ace.

Driffield drew first blood with full-back Lee Birch kicking a penalty after five minutes from in front of the posts, but Wheatley Hills built up some good pressure, and were rewarded after 16 minutes when flanker Tom Buckenham touched down and centre Guy Townsley kicked the conversion.

Driffield hit back to lead narrowly 7-8 with flanker Rob Hamilton touching down, and they went 7-11 ahead at half time with Birch adding a second penalty five minutes before the break.

Townsley slotted over a difficult penalty from wide left shortly after play resumed to close to within one point, but Birch edged Driffield back into a four-point lead with a similar kick a few minutes later.

However, Wheatley pressured well, and on 75 minutes replacement winger Mark Sanderson touched down in the corner to put his side one point ahead, and with full-back Craig Jeffels – who has signed for Wheatley from Castleford – scoring an injury time third try, the Doncaster side secured the victory.

Cleckheaton began the campaign in disappointing fashion, beaten 35-26 at home to West Hartlepool.

Northern 10

Old Brodleians 34

North One East

Ben Hoyle marked his comeback from a broken leg with two tries as Brodleians stormed to a convincing win and picked up a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Hoyle's first try plus a conversion and penalty from Ollie Ackroyd saw the visitors turn round at 10-10 but they dominated the second period.

Stand-off Jack Moon crossed before Hoyle grabbed his second, Ackroyd's conversion made it 22-10 but he then set up the try of the match with a lightning break before slick handling saw the ball pass through half the team before scrum-half Danny Melia, also returning after a broken leg, finished off the move.

Even with the bonus point secure, Brodleians continued to push forward and blindside flanker Andy Finn rounded off another Ackroyd break by going over in the corner.

Durham 33

Pontefract 18

North One East

A successful pre-season saw Pontefract go into this game full of confidence but after a good first half they faded and crashed to defeat.

Having enjoyed most of the possession in the first half they led 8-7 at the break thanks to Shane Simpson's try and an Andy Dean penalty.

Dean's boot extended the advantage early in the second half but Durham then upped the pace and ran in three tries and kicked a penalty and conversion.

Sam Brady crashed over late on and Dean added the extras but it was too late to make a difference.

Morpeth 24

Old Crossleyans 15

North One East

Sloppy play either side of half-time cost Crossleyans a match they otherwise might have won.

Good value for the 3-3 scoreline as the break approached, Crossleyans then gifted the home side a try with some poor handling. And before they had time to regroup, Morpeth struck again in added time, charging down a kick to lead 17-3.

Any hope of a Crossleyan comeback died six minutes into the second half when another handling error let Morpeth in once more. To their credit the visitors never gave up; winger Joe Baker reduced the arrears and just before the final whistle Adam Hinchliffe bulldozed his way to the line.