Tykes show their improvement in narrow defeat to Rosslyn Park

Second bottom of the table, the Yorkshire side dug deep to hold back a Rosslyn Park side who have scored an average of 31 points per game so far this season.

The 19-13 final score left Tykes with a deserved point, and was a world away from their performance at Rosslyn Park earlier in the season where they lost out by 50 points.

The visitors drew first blood with flanker Arthur Ellis touching down and stand-off Craig Holland converting after just three minutes.

But Leeds got themselves off the mark on 15 minutes with right winger Seremaia Turagabeci racing in and scrum-half Connor Lloyd adding the extras to draw level.

Seven minutes later Rosslyn Park retook the lead through No 8 Hugo Ellis, and with the conversion being missed, Lloyd’s 26th minute penalty for Leeds narrowed the deficit to just two points.

After the break the match continued to be close, but it was the visitors who scored the only try of the second half through inside centre Lewis Jones while Holland added the conversion to put them 19-10 ahead.

Centre Charlie Venables added a penalty for the Tykes just before the hour mark, but despite their best efforts the two sides cancelled each other out for the remaining half hour.

Rotherham Titans’ hopes of a return to National One received a boost as they ran out narrow 13-12 winners over rivals Sedgley Park in their National Two (North) clash.

In a game of two halves Rotherham were 13-0 ahead at half time and held on as the visitors to Clifton Lane ran in two tries after half time.

Hooker Harry Newborn crashed over and stand-off Matthew Minogue added the extras to the 18th minute try, before going on to kick penalties on 22 and 31 minutes. After the break Sedgley scored two tries and a conversion, but the Titans held on for a hard-fought win.

Hull remain top of the National Two (North) table after dishing out a 48-5 thumping of Stourbridge.

A hat-trick from right winger Mike Adlard underpinned the win, while others came from No 8 Will Hall, Prop Tipoloma Kivalu, hooker Ali Thompson and full-back Reece Dean. In-form stand-off Simon Humberstone kicked five conversions and a penalty.

Huddersfield also enjoyed a big win, beating visitors Blaydon 35-19.

Two tries apiece from centre Lewis Workman and full-back Tom Hodson, plus a penalty try and conversions from centre Will Milner, helped them to victory over bottom of the table side Blaydon.

Hull Ionians had to settle for an 18-18 draw at Tynedale, and had a last minute try from second row Thomas Peters to thank for the share of the spoils.

A Lewis Minikin penalty was all they had to show for a first half which ended 12-3, and despite a try from winger Wilson and another penalty from centre Minikin, Ionians were still 18-11 down with a minute on the clock.

But Peters’ try and Minikin’s conversion ensure two points from the draw.

Sheffield Tigers ran out narrow 13-9 winners at Wharfedale.

Replacement Wilson scored their only try, while Mark Ireland kicked a conversion and two penalties to take the win.

Elsewhere, Harrogate were beaten 24-17 at home against Bournville.

Leaders Otley were held to an 11-9 scoreline by visitors Macclesfield, but they remain six points clear at the top of the North Premier table after 13 straight wins.

But York were beaten at home by promotion-chasing Preston Grasshoppers who win 16-5.

Elsewhere Sandal ran out 62-10 winners at struggling Northwich.