Knight makes his mark for in-form Nuns

National League 3 Midlands

TOP-OF-THE-TABLE

Nuneaton were given a real scare before overcoming Old Halesonians 32-17 at Liberty Way.

The leaders found themselves losing 10-7 at half-time but managed to turn matters around after the interval.

Nuns made the better start and soon opened their account when South African No.8 Umran Jadwat powered his way over for a try which fly-half Rory Vowles converted.

Hales soon hit back and full-back Ian Briggs cut the advantage with a penalty before Loz Breese crossed and Briggs duly converted.

Nuns soon levelled matters in the second half when Vowles landed a penalty before full-back Rob Cook raced scored.

Winger Jacob Knight then notched a third try to make the score 24-10, but Hales hit back and cut the deficit to seven points with a try from Carl Robinson. But there was no let up from Nuns who crossed twice more through Theo Knight.

Second-placed Sheffield remain five points adrift of Nuns following a 39-29 triumph at fast fading Derby, while Birmingham and Solihull brushed aside Towcestrians 38-7 to stay third.

The biggest winners of the day were Peterborough Lions, who plundered a 44-18 triumph at Longton. Fourth-placed Broadstreet bagged a 38-14 success over Syston to pull eight points clear of fifthplaced Halesonians.

The Coventry club cruised to a 24-0 lead within 25 minutes.

Prop John Allison opened the try scoring with Sam McNulty and flanker Bo Carney also crossing, while Lee Chapman fired over three conversion and a penalty to put Broadstreet in command.

Syston struck back with two converted tries after Broadstreet had inside centre Josh Grimes sent to the sin bin to make the scoreline 24-14.

Grimes atoned by coming back to bag the fourth try before Scott Truslove completed the scoring with the fifth and final try.

At the bottom of the table, Lichfield threw themselves a lifeline with a slender 15-13 win over Sandbach. And Bridgnorth bagged a 13-6 success over Bedford Athletic.