Try-machine Broadley claims late Gate win as Bradshaw nets treble for Morley

Playing with a first-half wind advantage, Harrogate’s pack more than matched the abrasive Luctonians forwards. Gareth Lodge had an immense game, well supported by all his colleagues especially, Alex Rieder, Jake Brady and Jimmy Browne.

Sam Bottomley set up Ed Smithies for the opener before Lodge, dummied his way over. Mike Aspinall’s conversion gave Harrogate a 12-0 lead.

Luctonians’ Alex Davidson crashed over for a try converted by John Morris but Aspinall added a penalty to keep Gate ahead.

Ruaridh Carmichael snapped up a loose ball and broke for Broadley to outpace the defence for a thrilling 50-metre converted try.

Luctonians’ scored twice more from driving mauls with Gate down to 14 men with Ryan Pearcey in the bin before Morris scorde in the opposite corner to give them the lead, though crucially, he narrowly missed the conversion and Broadley raced in for the winner.

Huddersfield recorded a bonus-point win against the side second from bottom, scoring all their points in the first half.

The visitors enjoyed a rampant first 40 minutes, during which they only conceded three points to lead 28-3. Tom Owen, captain Nick Sharp, Lee Paxman and Dave Hall all got their name on the scoresheet, Paxman’s driving run and touchdown under the posts being the pick of the bunch.

Fly-half Chris Johnson added all four conversions to extend the advantage but, unfortunately, that was as good as it got. After the break the hosts came back with a point to prove and, in truth, Huddersfield switched off. Despite adding 10 points Rugby didn’t really look like pulling off a comeback as Huddersfield’s defence rallied to keep the hosts at bay.

Karl Bradshaw grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Morley recorded an all-important five-point success against the side just above them in the table.

Morley took the lead after 10 minutes when, following a good forward platform down the right, Ben Johnson split the defence with a deft grubber and Bradshaw raced through to score in the corner. The visitors scored their only points of the game after 29 minutes, only for Morley to extend the lead when Johnson again sent a kick through for Bradshaw to chase. Younger brother Simon Bradshaw added the extras to give Morley a 12-3 lead at half-time.

The hosts were in control but had to wait until the 70th minute for further points, this time full-back Bradshaw touching down and converting his own kick to make it 19-3. Then Morley added their fourth try for the bonus point win as, once again, Johnson’s grubber was perfect for winger Bradshaw to collect for his hat-trick.

Hull Ionians had the upper hand in the first half and took a 19-8 lead into the break but better decision making would have brought an even bigger lead which eventually cost them the match.

Caldy upped their game in the second half to score three converted tries. Richard Vasey kicked an early penalty but Ionians came straight back and a forwards drive released good ball for Simon Hammersley to power over the line.

Caldy responded and good recycling saw JJ Dickinson cross but Ionians’ patient build up saw Will Heylings run at the full-back with James Rule in support to score, James Ferguson converting.

They should have scored again but conceded a penalty through over enthusiasm but closed the half with Oli Marns racing in, Ferguson converting before adding a penalty straight after the break.

Caldy, helped by a strong diagonal wind, scored through Craig Ross, Vasey and John Broxson, with Vasey adding nine points. Despite a series of scrums Ionians could only claim the losing bonus with a Ferguson kick.

Hull rescued a draw against the Hoppers despite recording one of their best first-half performances away from home this year.

James Greene and Max Lewis scored first-half tries with James Cameron converting once and adding a penalty, before Preston roared back to take the lead. Cameron salvaged a point with a late penalty after driving maul.