By Phil Caplan - @scratchingshed2

London & South East and East @LondonRL + @East_RL

In the Tier 4 Community Shield, EASTERN RHINOS had a comfortable passage with a 40-20 home victory over NORTHAMPTON DEMONS although it would have been closer but for errors by the Demons near the Rhinos’ line. HAMMERSMITH HILLS HOISTS' trip to the Midlands saw them come away with a thumping 60-0 win over BIRMINGHAM BULLDOGS.

Two tries in the opening ten minutes from centre Pat McGinty, both goaled by Vince Spurr set Hoists on their way. Birmingham had an effort ruled out for offside, before the Londoners piled on further pressure with tries from prop Darren Booth and Spurr, who added the extras on both. Lynton Allen opened the scoring for Hammersmith in the second half, with Spurr again on target with the boot. Birmingham showed some solid effort but the floodgates eventually opened with tries from Mitchell Berry, James Sharp -converted by Spurr, Andrew Meiklejohn, Blake Taylor-Webber and two further efforts from Spurr, one of which he also converted. ELMBRIDGE EAGLES posted a 36-18 home victory over COVENTRY BEARS A.

In the Regional Challenge Cup, LONDON SKOLARS ‘A’ carried on their unbeaten form from the Southern Premier League but it was a close run contest at SOUTH LONDON STORM. In a hard fought contest, Storm - fielding seven under-18 players who had come through their junior ranks - led 8-6 at half time and looked like causing an upset when they were 24-22 ahead with just two minutes remaining. However a late converted try saw Skolars squeeze through to the next round 28-24.

SUSSEX MERLINS, unbeaten in the South Eastern Regional League, suffered their first defeat, going down 32-30 at home to MEDWAY DRAGONS in a stirring encounter. Another close, high scoring game at BURY ST EDMUNDS saw the Titans go through to the next round with a 44-38 win over GUILDFORD GIANTS. The south coast derby saw PORTSMOUTH NAVY SEAHAWKS overwhelm SOUTHAMPTON SPITFIRES 72-13, while GREENWICH ADMIRALS had a comfortable home win over ST IVES ROOSTERS 38-12 and WEST LONDON SHARKS won by the same score at BARKING & DAGENHAM BULLDOGS.

North East @NErugbyleague

JARROW VIKINGS produced a tremendous attacking display to see of fierce rivals PETERLEE PUMAS 56-28 in the Cup on Thursday. Pumas were quickest out of the blocks and scored the first try after just 90 seconds through Luke Watson. They increased their in the 16th minute with another converted score to make it 12-0, however the loss of the influential Watson with a broken nose shortly after proved decisive. The Vikings started their fight back when Mark Walker crashed over and almost immediately fellow prop Jordan Robinson touched down allowing Graham Lupton to level matters.

By half-time the resurgent visitors had crossed twice more through Dave Green and a Lupton interception, however, Peterlee rallied and hit back to make it 22-18. Jarrow dominated the second period and piled on the points. Second rower David Norman was the first to add his name to the score sheet, whilst Walker – with his second – and Lupton – completing his hat-trick – were key figures. With time running out centre Reece Young added a quick-fire brace. Jarrow now proceed through to the last 16 of the competition.

Jarrow continue to set the pace in the North East Premier winning comprehensively at home against local neighbours SUNDERLAND ARLFC on Saturday, to make it three wins from three. Notable performances came from Mark Walker and Dave Green who both bagged a brace. Strong Vikings defence held Sunderland at bay until Dan Rundle grabbed a consolation for the visitors. Elsewhere in the Premier, GATESHEAD STORM picked up a home win over reigning champions Peterlee Pumas, old boy Chris Parker getting on the score sheet on his return to the club in a 44-18 win, while Michael MacDougall picked up a hat trick for the visitors. GATESHEAD SPARTANS continue to keep the pressure on at the top of the table performing a smash and grab raid to pick up the points away at newly promoted EAST CUMBRIA CRUSADERS.

In the North East Regional, two evenly matched teams fought out a thrilling 30-30 draw as CONSETT STEELERS entertained WHITLEY BAY BARBARIANS at a breezy Belle Vue. Stand off Adam French impressed as the Consett man of the match as both teams ran in six tries. A youthful PETERLEE PUMAS development side fell 14-72 to DURHAM DEMONS at Helford Road with Danny O’Reagan notching six tries before heading off to training for the Ireland Student side. CRAMLINGTON ROCKETS kept up their 100% record winning 60-22 at home to GUISBOROUGH and MINERS RL picked up a second big win in a row, with Brian Merryweather helping himself to four tries, as they beat HARTLEPOOl 68-18. DURHAM TIGERS and WINLATON WARRIORS picked up their first points playing out a 16-16 draw to lift themselves above Hartlepool at the foot of the competition.

Midlands @MidsRugbyLeague

In Division 1, TELFORD RAIDERS ran up a half century against NEW RAVENS. Prop Matt Evans opened the scoring the home side before impressive Andy Young racked up a hat-trick before the 20-minute mark. Prop Andy Farrell added his name to the score sheet shortly afterwards, with Liam Evans adding two conversions and Ben Lewis one.  Paul Szehofner carried on the home side’s scoring after the break before Jamie Derry crossed to add a try that marks the end of a long association with the Raiders, despite only being 19 years of age as he prepares to leave the area.

Stalwart Pom Tutt made an incisive run from dummy-half to add a further four points to the Raiders haul, before Lewis added a try to go with his three second half conversions and Szehofner closed the Raiders account on a round 50-0. Martin Wolfenden’s 50 metre solo effort got NORTHAMPTON DEMONS A off the mark against LEICESTER STORM A. In a niggly encounter, the upper hand switched throughout the game, Nigel Tapping’s last second first-half effort bringing the home team back into things and levelling the scores at 18-18. Hooker Paul Stewart proved the difference between the two sides in the second half, scoring two tries before laying on a score for Mike Burr to push the Demons further ahead, with Dan Page’s effort sealing the Demons’ position at the top of the league.

A close encounter at LEAMINGTON ROYALS went the way of visitors COVENTRY DRAGONS 26-24 despite the valiant efforts of Marcus Pask who came out of retirement for the Royals, showing that he is still a formidable front row opponent. SLEAFORD SPARTANS made light work of NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS A, running up a 66-20 score in a good natured game at the David Williams Pavilion.

In Division 2, Mike Shire’s HOPE VALLEY HAWKS completed an 18-36 victory  at BURY BRONCOS to give them men from the Peak District’s 100% record alive.

Wales @WalesRugbyL

WEST WALES 52 EAST WALES 16

West was best in the Wales Rugby League Origin Match, the first to be played in seven years, when they ran out 52-16 winners in Porthcawl. An early chance for West was squandered when Charles Stephenson wasn’t quite fast enough to jump onto Ian Brooks’ well-placed grubber. But Brooks’ next creation resulted in a try when his pass opened up a gap for Gareth Howells, converting it himself. Almost immediately it was 12-0 when Brooks created a try for Lloyd Ryland which Howells goaled. East Wales got a try back when Steve Williams fed Dale Tucker to score, Idris Evans converted. East could have got another but for Ian Brooks catching a high bomb, then turning defence into attack and running 100 metres to score at the other end and increase West’s lead.

There was still time for Marc Roberts to slip down the wing for West’s fourth try which Howells again converted to make the score 24-6 at the interval. East Wales were first on the board in the second half when Josh Rogers crossed and Evans converted. But after that, West Wales stamped their dominance on the game. Roberts scored in the corner, Rhys Meredith followed him over three minutes later then Hugh Rosser raced down the wing for West’s seventh try on 58 minutes.  Ryland claimed his second try on 62 minutes. Pugh’s kick was missed, then he failed to convert his own try three minutes later. East Wales grabbed a consolation when Idris Evans went over from short range with Dan Henderson’s conversion hitting the post but Ryland completed proceedings when he barged through the defence for his hat-trick after Mark Jones did the groundwork, Pugh converting.

North West @rugbyleaguenw

CLOCK FACE MINERS secured two points in the Premier Division with a 33-16 win over HALTON SIMMS CROSS. It was the visitors who looked the most likely in the opening exchanges, with tries from Eddie Kilgannon and Callum Hayes and a goal from Kevin O’Brien, inside the first 10 minutes. But Miners responded magnificently and scores from Mark Gibson, Chris Sheffield, Andy Stanton and Alan Johnson, along with three goals from Martin Hutton, gave the hosts a commanding 22-10 lead at the interval. However, when full back Kieron Kavanagh crossed just two minutes after the restart, coupled with an O’Brien conversion, Simms Cross had reduced the arrears to just six points. But that was as good as it got for Halton, as the Miners soaked up pressure before increasing their advantage. Hutton dispatched a drop goal, before Stanton and Steve Taylor touched down. And with just nine minutes remaining, Hutton bagged a try of his own to secure the win.

In Division One, WALNEY CENTRAL maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a 48-12 victory over the THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS. The visitors took an early lead with a Chris Ford penalty after just two minutes. But Central hit back with tries from Jamie and Danny Morrow, both converted by Mark McKinley. The Crusaders then struck on 20 minutes with a score from centre Danny Brennan, but it would be Central that went in at half time full of confidence as Jamie Morrow touched down with his second try, converted again by McKinley, to give the hosts an 18-6 lead at the break. Ford converted Paul Rigby’s try early in the second half to give Thatto Heath plenty of cause for optimism but Walney imposed their dominance for much of the second period as they went on to run in five tries. Jamie Morrow secured his hat-trick, while there were scores for Matthew Holmes, Danny Lockheart and Harry Gee, with conversions from McKinley (3), Jamie Morrow and Dave Nicholson.

In a close match in Division 5, FITTON HILL AND HATHERSHAW BULLDOGS edged out the BOLTON METS 31-30. A late drop goal from the home side deflated the 12 men of Bolton, who had tied the game at 30-all with just five minutes remaining. Elsewhere in the division, two tries inside the last five minutes gave CROSFIELDS a hard fought 30-24 win on the road at the CHESTER GLADIATORS.

South West @SouthWestRL

Man of the Match Kevin Angell's last minute try proved the difference as NORTH DEVON RAIDERS beat EXETER CENTURIONS 44-40 at Flowerpots. After a brief delay five minutes in to switch pitches following the discovery of a hole in the ground on the Exeter try line, Raiders opened up a 16-4 lead by quarter time but the home side fought back to change ends 20-16. Raiders scored four tries to one in the third quarter and seemed safe at 40-26 but Centurions responded with three tries in the last fifteen minutes to level the scores. Angell's try with one set of six remaining gave Norths victory and extended their winning streak to four games.  EXMOUTH RL ran in thirteen tries at Duckes Meadow to defeat DEVON SHARKS 62-14 with Leo Hood the stand out for the victors kicking five goals and scoring four tries.

In the Tier 4 Cup, a dramatic turnaround midway through the second half saw SOMERSET VIKINGS rack up 25 unanswered points to progress to the next round at the expense of the GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS in Bridgwater. The Warriors had led 10-0 with tries from Louis Spencer and Kieran Bowes before Glenn Cooper got the Vikings on the board. Rory Sharratt added a penalty right on half time for a 12-4 Warriors interval lead. Dave Edwards cut the deficit soon after the break with the first of his three tries goaled by Dan Hinton but Sharratt crossed to keep the Warriors’ noses in front. Then came the reversal in fortune. Nick Francis touched down a well-placed Chris Richards grubber kick to level the scores and Edwards strode through the defence for a superb try straight from the restart. Hinton added a drop goal for a seven point lead to completely turn matters around. Edwards completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards before Mark Sheridan raced through to the line, Hinton adding his fifth goal for a 35-16 lead. In the final ten minutes, Sharratt and Spencer grabbed tries both goaled by Sharratt to close the gap again to seven points but the Vikings had left them too much to do.

In the West of England division, SWINDON ST GEORGE produced an incredible second half comeback to defeat BRISTOL SONICS A 34-30 at Greenfield Road. The Sonics had led 30-4 at the break but halftime allowed the home side to regroup and come out to secure their first win of the campaign.The Sonics took an early stranglehold on the game with an early try from Johnny Wheeler. Ben Pullen added a second shortly afterwards as St George were given a lesson in finishing. Joe Singleton crossed and James Bennett converted to extend the lead further and when Pete Butcher added the Sonics’ fourth try it seemed that Swindon were in for a long afternoon. Richard White crossed for St George but further tries from Dave Guest and Pullen’s second with a Bennett goal seemed to have the Sonics set fair at the interval. A brief flare-up between the sides before the break seemed to have inspired St George for the second period as they came out firing and Mike Keeley got them off to a great start with a try. Ben Bridson then converted Milo Hartley’s effort to narrow the gap further to put the Sonics under pressure. When Bridson and White crossed in quick succession midway through the half, the gap was down to just a single score. The Sonics were struggling for a reply and when Bridson converted a try by Tomas Buragabeci, the sides were, unbelievably, level. Swindon had the momentum and it was no surprise that last season’s top scorer Mike Thompson dived over to give his side the lead as time ticked away. However, they had to endure a nail-biting last few minutes with Keeley in the sin bin before they could celebrate a famous victory.

Scotland @ScotRugbyLeague

A try, two goals, a penalty and a drop goal by Louis Senter were not quite enough as EASTERHOUSE PANTHERS agonisingly went down 22-21 to EDINBURGH EAGLES. A wonderful contest saw Easterhouse dominate for 77 minutes but a lapse in concentration saw Giles Lomax cross for the visitors to steal a win. Even then, Senter had a last gasp chance for victory but pulled a penalty for a high tackle wide. Prop Sam Heron was outstanding for Easterhouse, Callum McDonald and Steven Connolly crossing for Panthers tries, Steven McCarter also landing a penalty. For Edinburgh, Colin Jarvis, Daryl Butcher with a try and three goals and Dan Barber claimed touchdowns.

Yorkshire   @YorkshireRL

In the Tier 4 Cup, prop Thomas Dobson was the stand out, along with scrum half Anthony Glynn, as STANNINGLEY beat neighbours EAST LEEDS 22-16 on rainy Friday night. Dobson scored the only Stanningley try of the first, excellent prop Joshua Longbottom replying with a converted score for Easts; Josh Hickey landing a penalty for Stanningley to make it 6-all at the break. Michael McHugh and Josh Tate extended the home lead to 16-6, Matthew Savage bringing Easts back to within four points. In the closing stages, as possession was harder to hold on to, Hickey went over for the hosts, Chris Airth replying for the visitors.

YORK ACORN won a thoroughly entertaining tie with HULL DOCKERS, 32-20. The hosts led 16-4 at the break, loose forward Steve Doswell with the first of his two tries, Fran Starkey and Damian Hilton crossing, James Cooper landing two goals. Jack Hazelwood scored for Dockers and they narrowed the gap four minutes into the second period when Chris King went over, Jamie Mulligan goaling. Acorn stretched clear with two tries in three minutes from Karl Harton and Paul Cross, Cooper goaling the latter but, on the hour, Stuart Page went in for the visitors, James Hazlewood adding the extras to make it 26-16. Doswell secured the win, Joe Burns converting but Ronnie Mills grabbed the final try for Hull.

MILFORD MARLINS ran in ten tries to defeat YORK LOKOS 50-18, thanks to a dominant second half display. The visitors led after two minutes, Jonathan Cambridge with the try and Thomas Storey the conversion. Prop Paul Tharme and a Nathan Currie goal levelled for Milford but again the visitors went in front, Cambridge grabbing his second. Nathan Hargreaves and Danny Horner edged the hosts into a 16-12 lead at the break but Lokos were ahead again two minutes into the second half when Tyler Dawson crossed and Storey added a third goal. From the 50th minute it was all Marlins, Sam Walker, Ben Hood, Craig Harrison with a brace, Juan Jasse, Hargreaves with his second and Dave Palmer claiming touchdowns, Currie finishing with three goals and Thomas Roby two.

In League action, newcomers WEST BRADFORD BARBARIANS put up a good showing going down 24-10 at home to SCARBOROUGH PIRATES. Pirates led 14-0 at the break, Craig Marsden, Oliver Battye and Adam Lee claiming tries and Tom Ratcliffe a goal. Centre Dominic Grima got the first ever Barbarians points in the 46th minute, Jack Johnson replying. Karl Spring responded immediately from a Ben Coussens cut out pass and Scott Pendlebury’s goal made it 18-10 but second rower Dave Douthwaite’s breakaway try form a Ratcliffe pass sealed it for the visitors.

WALTON WARRIORS held on to down KNOTTINGLEY ROCKWARE 28-20. Warriors led 12-8 at the break, both sides scoring two tries, Adam Greaves and Tom Fountain for the hosts, Gavyn Lightowler and Bradley Rowlanson replying. Two touchdowns in five minutes from Scott Dundass and Kyle Jarrett put Rockware 20-12 ahead but a Tom Crowther interception started the fight back, Richard Foster and Crowther with a second posting two tries in as many minutes in the frantic closing stages. In the final minute, Tommy Malyan kicked a penalty for Walton to see them home.

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