Sandal's Wood finally ends some stubborn resistance – Beverley go close to an upset

Rossendale 16

Sandal 31

Sandal staged a late rally to finally shake off a stubborn Rossendale outfit, who kept

hitting back whenever the visitors looked like getting out of sight.

Despite playing into the wind and up the slope in the first half, Sandal took a 13-8 lead at the break thanks to a length-of-the-pitch sprint by full-back Tom Hodson for a try converted by Greg Wood, who added a drop-goal and penalty.

The home side came more into the game after the interval and moved to within two points with a penalty only for Wood to land his second drop-goal.

But again the hosts hit back, levelling the scores with an unconverted try and the game was in the balance.

Sandal steadied themselves and gradually made their superior power and skill pay off.

Wood made the vital breakthrough, cutting through to score by the posts and landing the conversion and centre Danny Mitchell made sure with Sandal's third try, with Wood taking his tally to 21 points with a late penalty.

Chester 9

Beverley 3

WITH five wins from five matches and averaging over 30 points per game, Chester might have been expecting an easy ride but Beverley took them all the way and were desperately unlucky not to claim victory in a rousing finish.

Beverley started strongly and took the lead with a penalty by fly-half Phil Duboulay after five minutes. Chester got steadily back into the game and drew level after 15 minutes with a penalty from fly-half Rhys Hayes, who added another just before half-time to give them an interval lead of 6-3.

Both sides attacked with ball in hand at every opportunity but defences were outstanding and Chester were, for the first time this season, unable to cross their opponents' line.

Although Chester had dominated for long periods late in the first half, Beverley had the better of the exchanges in the second. Captain and flanker David Worrall several times came within inches of getting over.

A third penalty for Hayes left Beverley needing a converted try for victory and they went for it with relentless attacking even from behind their own line.

But Chester held on for the victory and Beverley were left to settle for a losing bonus point and rue what might have been.

Bradford and Bingley 24

Darlington Mowden Park 18

After three consecutive defeats the Bees put together a performance they can be proud of.

Director of rugby Martin Whitcombe asked his side to step up and take responsibility for their performance individually and collectively and to turn the form he had seen on the training field into a convincing performance on a Saturday afternoon.

The Bees rose to the challenge with much improved performances in every department.

Whitcombe asked head coach Stuart Dixon to pull on his boots for the first time this season in an attempt to control the midfield and with Phil Greaves and Steve Brimacombe in the mix with him, the Bees were able to execute their game plan with far more authority than had been evident of late.

It was far from plain sailing, however, as the home side were able to take an early lead through a couple of soft tries.

Captain Ryan Wederall pegged a score back for the Bees by rumbling over from close range.

Gavin Stead's penalty had opened the visitors' account and right on half-time Brimacombe got over the Mowden Park line to put the Wagon Lane side in front.

The Bees pack maintained their good form with second-row Richard Hughes putting in a man-of-the-match performance.

There were no tries for the Bees in the second half but the steady kicking of Stead saw the Bees home.

In contrast, Mowden Park will be kicking themselves after they twice hit the woodwork with penalties which could have put them level.

Middlesbrough 33

Billingham 8

Middlesbrough struggled in the first half but took control to ease to 10th in the table.

Billingham, next to bottom but previously only one point behind Middlesbrough, twice took the lead and turned round 8-3 ahead.

Billingham went ahead with a penalty by stand-off Peter Evans after 19 minutes but Middlesbrough replied as hooker Ben Horton crashed over.

Right on half-time, Billingham took the lead again with a try from full-back Craig Shepherd.

Connor Hartley, playing his first full game for Middlesbrough in the second-row, picked up a loose ball immediately after half-time and sent in Horton for his second try.

Simon O'Farrell converted and after that the game rarely looked in doubt as Boro put the visitors under pressure and Billingham had two players yellow-carded.

Back-row Carl Kirkham touched down, O'Farrell converting before winger Peter Homan raced over for a bonus-winning fourth try. O'Farrell added three penalties in the last 10 minutes.

Kenilworth 30

Sheffield Tigers 17

SHEFFIELD Tigers competed well for much of the first half of this Midlands contest and were only 17-12 behind at half-time, but the points all but dried up after the break as Kenilworth eased to victory.

Left-winger Jed Boyce touched down after two minutes but Tigers hit back to lead on 12 when they were awarded a penalty try for a collapsed scrum, and centre Tom Outram kicked the conversion.

Kenilworth stand-off Adam Canning kicked two penalties in quick succession, but Tigers edged back in front with right-winger Francis Denny's try.

Canning kicked a drop-goal and a third penalty to give Kenilworth a 17-12 lead at the break.

Former Rotherham second-row Gregor Hayter scored Tigers' third try on 47 minutes to pull them level but Canning kicked a penalty and, after converting centre Gareth Renowden's 76th minute try, added another.