Tigers regret missing bonus as they chase the promotion pack

Sheffield Tigers 27Chester 3

SHEFFIELD Tigers kick-started their push for promotion with a victory but they missed out on a much-needed bonus point by scoring just three tries.

Tigers kept pace with their rivals and remain seventh in a close table, but need to start picking up the bonus points with just four points separating them from the four teams immediately above them.

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Stand-off Tom Outram kicked a penalty in the first minute, but Chester hit back through opposite number Rhys Hays.

Tigers, who had the wind on their backs in the first half, pushed on strongly and Outram added a second penalty.

The first try went to right winger Gareth Morley on 33 minutes which Outram converted and two minutes later second-row Bevan Wilkinson crashed over, Outram making it 20-3.

Tigers defended well in the second half as Chester threw everything at them, but the only score went to the South Yorkshire side with a penalty try being awarded and converted by the reliable Outram.

Birkenhead Park 7

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Middlesbrough turned in one of their best performances of the season to score a valuable win against a side who, although below them on league points, had scored the same number of wins from three fewer matches.

Middlesbrough dominated the first half and were worth more than their eight-point lead.

They had to wait 22 minutes for their first score, scrum-half Peter Wright breaking from the 22-metre line and cutting through the defence to touch down for a fine individual try.

In the final minute of the first half, winger Callum Campbell added a penalty.

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The visitors raised their game after the break and had slightly the better of the opening 10 minutes.

The home side eventually broke out with some good play which ended with second-row Phil Harland crashing over for a try after 70 minutes following good work by the forwards.

Jack Bircham, who had come on as a replacement on the wing when Campbell left the field with a leg injury, landed the conversion.

Andrew Micklewright, on the opposite wing, picked up a loose ball and raced over in the corner to score Middlesbrough's third try in the 78th minute, Bircham converting from the touchline.

Then, with the last move of the game, Birkenhead scored a consolation try when substitute back-row Dan Palmer touched down and Dave Hall converted.