The latest of the action in the National Conference League!
Wigan St Patricks proved too strong for Woolston Rovers, scoring six tries at Clarington Park as Division One of the National Conference League got underway.
Pats were twelve points up after just nine minutes following a lightning start that had Conor Taylor sending debutant Ben Harper over the line with a clever inside pass and Brad Smith added the first of six goals. A superb break on the left by Logan Bradbury was halted and attractive link up then paved the way for Jack Sproat to zip over in the right corner from a Reece Rowcroft pass and Smith goaled superbly.
Woolston rallied but injuries hit them badly with James Tarpey playing out of position, Craig Lawton being forced from the field early, Ben Dixon struggling throughout and Harry Files having to play a stint at hooker.
Some inspirational defence from Pats captain Danny Ryding put the hosts on the front foot again and they scored their third try, through Ryding after 33 minutes when he supported Taylor and proved unstoppable from twenty metres. It was soon 24-0 too.
Sprightly play down the right saw Smith hand the ball onto Riley Dervan and he sent Sproat away before the winger unselfishly handed back inside for Smith to scamper to the posts and goal. Seconds from half-time, Files went close to scoring before Sean Kelly drifted right and carved through the defence for a try that he converted.
Pats made a positive start to the new half with more punishing defence from Danny Ryding before the skipper spotted a gap in the defence and rushed over for his second try from a close-range play-the-ball in the 46th minute and Smith kicked his fifth goal.
Again, Woolston responded in positive fashion with Jake Proudlove making metres and Ryan Brown getting their attack moving, while substitute Craig Woolvine also broke the line but when the ball went to ground after 52 minutes, Conor Taylor was quickest to react and sped away from 60 metres for Smith to complete his goal haul. There was no further score from the hosts and Woolston battled to the end, scoring a second try through Kelly to make it 36-10 to Pats.
Elsewhere in Division One, Crosfields were crushed by Ince Rose Bridge and Wigan St Judes proved too powerful at Egremont Rangers. Shaw Cross Sharks came out on top in a battle between promoted sides at Oldham St Annes and Heworth made a positive return to the division with a home result against Oulton Raiders. Stanningley fought hard to beat relegated Kells.
In the Premier Division West Hull's defence held York Acorn at bay in a close encounter while West Bowling continued their positive start with victory at Hunslet ARLFC. Waterhead had too much at Leigh Miners Raiders and Rochdale Mayfield enjoyed their afternoon hosting Wath Brow Hornets, while Lock Lane bounced back from their opening defeat at Siddal to win at home against Dewsbury Moor Maroons.
Barrow Island were the big winners in Division Two as they overwhelmed Drighlington, while Clock Face made it two wins from two with a suucess at Ellenborough Rangers. There were close games at Pilkington Recs, where Normanton Knights collected the league points, and at Skirlaugh where East Leeds won through. Hensingham found Dewsbury Celtic too strong and Thornhill Trojans were in the points as they beat Hull Dockers.
Division Three got underway with a stand alone fixture at Myton Warriors who collected a hard-fought win over Beverley.
Results (Saturday 15 March):
Premier Division
Hunslet ARLFC 18 - 26 West Bowling
Leigh Miners Rangers 10 - 30 Waterhead Warriors
Lock Lane 22 - 10 Dewsbury Moor Maroons
Rochdale Mayfield 48 - 12 Wath Brow Hornets
West Hull 12 - 4 York Acorn
Division One
Crosfields 6 - 46 Ince Rose Bridge
Egremont Rangers 12 - 34 Wigan St Judes
Heworth 34 - 22 Oulton Raiders
Oldham St Annes 22 - 34 Shaw Cross Sharks
Stanningley 26 - 16 Kells
Wigan St Patricks 36 - 10 Woolston Rovers
Division Two
Barrow Island 48 - 10 Drighlington
Ellenborough Rangers 6 - 20 Clock Face Miners
Hensingham 6 - 20 Dewsbury Celtic
Pilkington Recs 20 - 28 Normanton Knights
Skirlaugh 12 - 18 East Leeds
Thornhill Trojans 42 - 22 Hull Dockers
Division Three
Myton Warriors 24 - 14 Beverley
Fixtures taking place next weekend (Saturday 22 March):
Premier Division
Hunslet ARLFC v Thatto Heath Crusaders 14:30
Leigh Miners Rangers v Dewsbury Moor Maroons 14:30
Wath Brow Hornets v Siddal 14:30
West Bowling v Rochdale Mayfield 14:30
West Hull v Lock Lane 14:30
York Acorn v Waterhead Warriors 14:30
Division One
Ince Rose Bridge v Heworth 14:30
Kells v Egremont Rangers 14:30
Shaw Cross Sharks v Crosfields 14:30
Wigan St Judes v Stanningley 14:30
Woolston Rovers v Oldham St Annes 14:30
Division Two
Clock Face Miners v Drighlington 14:30
Dewsbury Celtic v Pilkington Recs 14:30
East Leeds v Normanton Knights 14:30
Hensingham v Barrow Island 14:30
Hull Dockers v Ellenborough Rangers 14:30
Thornhill Trojans v Skirlaugh 14:30
Division Three
Distington v Myton Warriors 14:30
Featherstone Lions v Leigh East 14:30
Keighley Albion v Bentley 14:30
Millom v Milford 14:30
Saddleworth Rangers v Beverley 14:00
By Dave Parkinson
