Sandal edge win but Cleckheaton come unstuck on plastic pitch

The two sides have been at opposite ends of the table for much of the season but it was Morley who went in front when Sean Dadswell crossed.

Sandal worked their way back into the game with three Mark Pease penalties and stretched their advantage early in the second half when Joe Allott touched down.

But if they thought that would break Morley’s resolve they were mistaken and winger Tom Clough twice went over in the corner to reduce the lead to a single point.

With five minutes to go, James Briscoe forced his way over and Pease converted to put Sandal eight points ahead but plucky Morley struck once again through Andy Funnell to earn two much-needed and well-deserved points.

Huddersfield YMCA beat Lymm 31-27 to clinch their first away win since November and stretch their unbeaten run to three matches.

Two tries from forward Sam Hodge helped them to a 24-17 lead at the interval and despite managing only one further try, a break by winger Adam Ryder, and coming under plenty of pressure they managed to keep Lymm at bay and take the victory.

Sheffield Tigers romped to a 34-10 win against Rossendale.Full-back Peter Swatkins and hooker Tom Coates scored in the first half for Tigers before Rossendale pinned them back with a converted try and penalty.

Tom Outram kicked a penalty early in the second half to reassert Tigers’ control before Stephan Destounis and winger Henri Packard crossed to put the home side in the clear.

Mark Ireland went over for his first try of the season late on before Outram converted to land Tigers a bonus point.

After some encouraging recent performances, Beverley went down 37-17 at home to in-form Wirral.

Wirral took control, racing into a 20-0 lead but Beverley fought back with a penalty by Ryan Murray and a converted try by Craig Hancock.

Another converted penalty try early in the second half brought Beverley to within three points but their comeback ended with a yellow card for James McKay which quickly led to three further Wirral tries.

Mediocre Cleckheaton sacrificed a winning position on the 3G pitch at Burnage, Manchester, as they were held 22-22.

Danny Vento scored a simple opening try which Ross Hayden converted. Then a touch of class saw Hayden glide through the Burnage line for Cleckheaton’s second. His penalty made it 15-6 at the break. Lee Queeley tip-toed down the touchline for Hayden to convert to make it 22-14 but they couldn’t hold on.