Scunny turn up heat as Newport falter

SCUNTHORPE took control of the title race as they beat Nuneaton and saw second placed Newport

Salop fall to a narrow defeat at Sheffield.

The two were level on points before Scunthorpe beat Newport last weekend, but they moved seven points clear with a 38-25 win.

Nuneaton had twice led in the first half as two Elliott Brown tries responded to scores by Eddie Newsum and Gareth Mist, but Ollie’s Cole try gave Scunthorpe a decisive lead.

Cole’s added a second and although Jackson Hughes pulled one back for Nuneaton, Tom Foster and Tom Hughes sealed the victory.

It was back to back defeats for Newport though, as a late try saw

Sheffield claim a 15-13 triumph. Will Hodgson’s try put Sheffield 8-0 ahead at halftime, but Newport responded as Jack Price’s try and two penalties put them on course for victory, but the Sheffield pack drove over, the conversion winning the game.

Newport will now be looking over their shoulder as the sides in third and fourth, Luctonians and Broadstreet, both won to move within four points.

Luctonians survived a late fightback to beat

Bournville 29-27. Tries from Will Burton,

Isaac Fanueli, Connor Deignan and two from Conor Turner saw them open up a 29-3 lead, only to Bournville to run in four tries and 25 unanswered points, but would fall just short.

Broadstreet left it late to beat strugglers Doncaster

Phoenix, a penalty at the death snatching a 23-21 win.

Tries from Fowler and Donk saw them lead 14-5 at half-time, Rhodes with Phoenix’s try, with Smith adding Broadstreet’s third but Doncaster hit back and Gregg and Idehan gave them a slender lead, but they couldn’t hold on for the victory.

Doncaster did gain a point on Lichfield in the relegation battle however, the latter beaten 31-15 at

Bridgnorth, while Syston made it three wins in a row as they hammered Sandbach 52-10, but remain 12 points from safety. Friday night’s game saw

Burton beat Derby 33-10 to pull themselves further clear of the bottom.