Otley take spoils to extend lead

IN the battle at the top of the table, it was league leaders Otley who came out victorious 33-8 at home to Billingham and are now seven points clear.

Alex Beaumont, Calum Irvine and Elliott Morgan both with two were the home tryscorers, Joe Rowntree successful with four conversions.

Billingham began well with a drop goal from Peter Evans but it was only in the closing stages they got Martin Hopley in for a try.

They now slip back to fourth as Preston Grasshoppers move second after beating Sandal 31-10. Matt Lamprey bagged a brace, with Jordan Dorrington, Ben Dorrington and Sam Stott the other tryscorers, Alex Ward landed three conversions. Alan Edlar crossed for the visitors and Jake Adams added two goals.

Blackburn push up to third after thumping Northwich 7-98. Leon Simpson led the charge with five tries followed by Tom Burtonwood, Jordan Pearson, Josh Jarrold and Jamie Brookes with two each, and Jake Foster, Cory Logan and Marc Maher the others. Jarrold also kicked three conversions and Okert Erasmus six, Tom Husband got over for the home side, Harry Naylor converting.

Lymm beat Burnage 0-49. Sam Wadsworth ran in a hat-trick with Paddy Jennings, James Yates, Joe Watson and Nick Stratford in for one each. Cormack Nolan slotted three conversions and Tom Shard four.

Despite a second-half comeback by Rossendale, Wirral hung on to take the honours 28-23. Wirral crossed for three tries from Tom Cole, Tom Akhurst and Dan Harvey. Mark Williams added two conversions and three penalties. Danny Rylands and Curtis Strong went in for the visitors, both converted by Lewis Allen who also added three penalties.

In the late game York got the better of Macclesfield 30-22 at Clifton Park. There were two tries from Sam Taylor with Tom Woffendin and Toby Atkin in for one each. Liam Hessay added two conversions and two penalties. Alex Davies with two and Phil Laing crossed for the visitors.