Scunthorpe edge nervy top-two tussle

Midlands Premier

SCUNTHORPE won the battle of the top two by the slimmest of margins, beating Newport Salop 16-15 after Salop’s last-minute conversion hit the bar.

Two Paul Cook penalties gave Scunthorpe a 6-0 halftime lead, Cook adding a third before Newport claimed the opening try.

The conversion and a penalty from Monty Maule saw the visitors ahead, but Tom Foster responded for Scunthorpe, Cook converting the try.

Newport weren’t finished however, and Alex Haselock crossed in the final minute, giving Maule the chance to win it, but his conversion struck the bar, landing agonisingly the wrong side.

Broadstreet moved up to third as they ran in eight tries in a comprehensive 55-18 win away at Derby.

Leading 19-6 at half-time, Broadstreet proved far too strong after the break, adding a further five scores despite Derby crossing twice themselves. They move above Bridgnorth, who slipped from third to fifth after beating second-from-bottom Doncaster Phoenix, who gave their survival hopes a big boost with a 47-15 win.

Bridgnorth had taken an early lead through Teddy Parker, but Josh Winter, Will Smith and James Wright had Doncaster 21-10 in front by half-time, Adam Kettle, Seth Adams, Smith and Shane Hill sealing the huge win.

It leaves Phoenix two points from safety after

Burton were beaten 27-11 by Syston, the bottom of the table side making it back to back wins with four first-half tries.

Luctonians moved back into fourth, level on points with Broadstreet, after beating sixth-placed

Sheffield 22-14. First-half tries from Aiden Cheshire and Guy Kirby had Luctonians 12-0 ahead, with Kirby adding his second after the break,

before Isaac Fanueli sealed the bonus point, Sheffield responding with two late scores.

Nuneaton beat Sandbach 33-15 in the mid-table battle, whilst Friday night’s game saw Bournville win 28-22 at Lichfield.

Lichfield had led 22-15 at half-time after tries from Cal Turner, Greg Fielding and Jack Fielding, but Bournville turned things around after the break to give themselves breathing space over the relegation battle.