East Region:

A superb second half performance from DEWSBURY CELTIC stunned third placed CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE as the home side prevailed 33-8.

Arran Brown and John Fenwick tries had put Lock Lane 0-8 to the good after just 24 minutes following a blistering start to the game. But on the stroke of half time, Dewsbury pressure on the opposition line finally paid off as Josh Brooke forced his way under the sticks. Matty Sheridan converted to leave the half time score at 6-8.

The second half belonged to Celtic as Castleford failed to take advantage of the downhill slope. Just seven minutes into the new half and Liam Edwards crossed over for the home side after good work from Brooke, converted by Sheridan. The kicker then became the try scorer as Sheridan drew in Lock Lane’s defensive line to go over in the corner. Joe Edwards touched down on 57 minutes before Brooke pulled off a successful dummy five minutes later to go over to grab his second try. Jack Riding added one point with a drop goal on 67 minutes before Josh Sykes scored an unconverted try in the last minute to complete a good day at the office for Dewsbury.

High flying KEIGHLEY COUGAR CUBS came away from their trip to the North East with a comfortable 0-36 win over the GATESHEAD THUNDER.

With just 12 players to select from, it was always going to be a tough afternoon for the Thunder against a good Keighley outfit. The hosts did start the match well to give them some confidence, but good Cubs attack helped them to touch down three times in the opening 40 minutes to give them a 0-18 lead at the break.

Gateshead dug deep after the restart and enjoyed plenty of possession with six consecutive attacking sets, but solid work in defence by the visitors help keep the Thunder out. Keighley then went on to add a further three tries to seal the 0-36 triumph.

A controversial try in the closing minutes helped the HUNSLET WARRIORS to remain top of the East Region after edging out the HOLDERNESS VIKINGS 22-34 in a pulsating clash.

Both sides contested the tie toe to toe and just a converted try separated the teams at the break. As the second half wore on, the result could have gone either way. But with 10 minutes remaining, the Warriors were awarded a try which the home side felt shouldn’t have been given due to a possible knock on as the ball was touched down. This gave Hunslet the lead going into the closing stages, which ultimately proved too much for Holderness to recover from. Vikings player Matty Faulkner was signalled out for praise after showing his class, despite playing out of position at scrum half.

A tight match at East End Park saw EAST LEEDS narrowly go down 18-24 at home to BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL.

It was East’s that drew first blood when hooker Charlie Hughes went over; Ashley Waterhouse with the conversion. But Dudley Hill hit back with two quick tries, first from big centre Ryan Jackson as he drove over from close range, Daniel Bentley with the extras, before the kicker himself found a big hole in the East Leeds defence to score out wide. Back came the hosts as a powerful run by prop James Forsell earned his side four points, Waterhouse with the kick. But on the stroke of half time, despite taking three defenders over the line with him, Jackson touched down for his second score of the match. Bentley was successful with the boot and Bradford were ahead 12-18 at the break.

From the restart, Sam Costigan gave East’s renewed hope as he went over under the posts, Waterhouse with the conversion. Mid way through the second half, Dudley Hill second rower Nathan Lee powered over in the corner for their fourth try of the contest. On the hour mark, East Leeds had a try cancelled out for a knock on, before, with seven minutes remaining, Tom Logan was sent to the sin bin to end 12 man East’s hopes.

Elsewhere, SADDLEWORTH RANGERS lost 10-20 at home to the MILFORD MARLINS on Friday night.

West Region:

CROSFIELDS comfortably saw off LEIGH EAST on Thursday evening with a 50-10 win, although the visitors were praised for their efforts in defeat.

The Warrington side raced into a 24-0 lead at the break and continued where they left off in the second half. Man of the match Lewis Hoarty was signalled out for praise, with the second rower’s powerful drives and breaks constantly troubling his opponents throughout. But Leigh East never gave up, even when the game was clearly beyond them.

Crosfields tries came from Andy Unsworth, Matthew Wilson, Hoarty (2), Scott Cullen (2), George Briggs, John Reid and Josh Blackburn-Woods, with the latter also kicking seven goals. Nicky Ratcliffe and Chris Whittle with Leigh East’s two tries.

Elsewhere, WIGAN ST JUDES came away from Wales with a 12-52 win over the CPC BEARS, LEIGH MINERS RANGERS thrashed lowly WIDNES WEST BANK 74-0, WEST CUMBRIA beat RYLANDS SHARKS 50-12 and it was NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 0 THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS 24. The match between INCE ROSE BRIDGE and the HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Results:

East Region-

Dewsbury Celtic 33 Castleford Lock Lane 8
East Leeds 18 Bradford Dudley Hill 24
Gateshead Thunder 0 Keighley Cougar Cubs 36
Holderness Vikings 22 Hunslet Warriors 34
Saddleworth Rangers 10 Milford Marlins 20

West Region-

CPC Bears 12 Wigan St Judes 52
Ince Rose Bridge P Halton Farnworth Hornets P
Crosfields 50 Leigh East 10
Leigh Miners Rangers 74 Widnes West Bank 0
North Wales Crusaders 0 Thatto Heath Crusaders 24
West Cumbria 50 Rylands Sharks 12