Tei hat-trick puts Lions on leaders’ heels

SEMISI Sitanislei Tei claimed a hat-trick as

Peterborough Lions took

full advantage of Birmingham and Solihull Bees having their match postponed.

They move within two points of the leaders following a 55-28 win at home to Longton.

Lions were in control throughout and tries from Rory White, Connor Gracey and two from Tei had the bonus point secured before half time.

Jack Lewis added a fifth for a 31-14 lead at the break.

Tei completed his treble in the second half, with Gracey’s second and further scores from Dan Malem and Nico Defeo completing the nine-try demolition.

Birmingham and Solihull’s game at home to

Doncaster Phoenix was postponed due to snow.

Though the Bees’ lead was cut to two, the unbeaten leaders now have three games in hand.

Nuneaton snatched a dramatic victory at home to third-placed Newport

Salop in a game that had just the one try.

Newport were edging it three penalties to one, before Nuneaton found the line late on, with the conversion sealing a 10-9 victory to move into fifth.

On a day of tough conditions, there was another low-scoring contest between Scunthorpe and Bridgnorth.

The hosts claimed a 13-6 win with Tom Foster scoring the only try of the game in the first half.

At the bottom of the table, Newbold on Avon picked up only their third win of the season as they beat winless Old Halesonians 38-15.

Bournville and Lichfield remain narrowly outside the bottom three after losing to Derby and Sandbach respectively. Derby picked up a 27-21 win. Tries from Ben Trembling and Ryan Manning put Derby 12-7 ahead at half- time after they briefly trailed early on.

Simon Moon and Sam Martin ensured the visitors remained in control, despite Bournville crossing twice after the break.

Sandbach, meanwhile, withstood a brief Lichfield rally to claim a 25-17 win, having led 15-5.

Lichfield crossed twice in the closing stages of the first half to go in 17-15 in front, but a further try and penalty enabled Sandbach to seal victory.