Sandal win to take a great leap forward
WITH four matches falling victim to the weather in the Northern Premier Division, there were just three played on Saturday, albeit with no shortage of drama.
Top of the list must be Sandal's 51-5 hammering of league leaders Blaydon at Milnthorpe Green. It was 27-5 at the interval through tries for the home side from James Ellar who crossed for two, Declan Thompson, Joe Allott to take the bonus point and Danny Grainger with Greg Wood successful with one conversion to just the single try for the visitors from Alex Charlton.
In the second period Sandal added four more with no reply, from Joe Bedford, Ash Norbury, Tom Baxter and Jack Townend, Greg Wood again on target with two more conversions.
Blaydon still remain in pole position but they now have both Macclesfield and Harrogate breathing down their necks, both with a game in hand.
As for Sandal they move up to third in the table as they look to join the race for supremacy.
Just four points separate the top five, with Blaydon top on 75 and Harrogate a point behind, with Sandal now in touching distance on 72 points as the season reaches what looks set to be a particlularly entertaining conclusion.
Billingham remain in fourth following a 21-12 win away at Kirkby Lonsdale.
Matt Kirby and Anthony Jackson were the try-scorers for the visitors with Peter Evans landing a conversion, two penalties and a late drop goal to deny the home side what would have been a hardearned losing bonus point at the death.
Kirkby Lonsdale's point came from tries through Sam Kyle-Clay and Ryan Allwood with Mike Fearon contributing one conversion.
In the final game of the round Morpeth gave their relegation worries some respite, beating Lymm 198 in a tight contest at Grange House Field. Ollie Dymon crossed for two with Bentley Brown claiming one, Keiron Smith on hand with two conversions.
Lymm's try came courtesy of Nathan Beesley with Cormack Nolan slotting a penalty.
Of the matches postponed the games between Carlisle v Alnwick, Harrogate v Wirral, Macclesfield v Blackburn and Rossendale v Ilkley are likely to be rearranged for 11th April, Easter Sunday which will be the first free Saturday for North Premier.