By Ryan Booth
Egremont Rangers' triumph at Rochdale Mayfield last weekend mirrored an enthralling weekend of NCL action - here we take a look at how this week’s fixtures unfolded across the competition’s four tiers.
Premier Division | Wigan St Patricks 16-44 Egremont Rangers
Egremont cruised to a second successive win in the NCL Premier Division after pummelling Wigan St Patricks 44-16 at Clarington Park.
Rangers headed into the game on the back of a resounding 22-6 away triumph at hotly-tipped Rochdale Mayfield last Saturday and their performance at Pats proves the Cumbrians are ruthless on their travels.
FULL TIME
— Egremont Rangers (@EgremontR) March 17, 2018
Here at Clarington park and it's@wigan_st_pats 16 - 44 @EgremontR #UpTheMont #WeAreRangers
ðŸŸðŸ”µðŸ‰ pic.twitter.com/fOpUNxEiRZ
Matthew Bewsher and Paul Corkhill claimed a brace apiece whilst further efforts from Fraser McNee, Matt Hutchins, Marcus Brien and Patrick Wells ensured Egremont remain at the summit of the Premier Division table.
Despite trailing 32-0 at half-time, St Pats produced a spirited fightback and claimed three second half scores through Jamie Bristoe, Andrew Cunningham and Andrew Higham.
Division 1 | Thornhill Trojans 18-18 Milford Marlins
Thornhill Trojans and Milford Marlins produced arguably the greatest neutral spectacle of the weekend’s action after playing out an electrifying 18-all stalemate at Overthorpe Park.
Thornhill took an early lead through Joss Ratcliffe, though Milford responded with two well-taken scores from Josh Cawood and James Barker - Martin Loveridge converted both efforts.
Thornhill reduced the deficit when Liam Morley made a terrific break before stepping past a Milford defender and diving over, George Woodcock added the extras.
Moments later the Trojans were over again - this time Ben Kendall broke clear before finding the onrushing Sam Ratcliffe who successfully crossed over.
Milford restored their lead as Cawood secured a double before Loveridge again converted, however Dewsbury-based outfit Trojans responded yet again as Joss Ratcliffe touched down for his second of the game to earn a share of the spoils.
Division 2 | Hunslet Warriors 6-34 Askam
[[MULTI_VIDEO1]]
Askam prolonged their perfect start to the season after securing a 34-6 triumph over Hunslet Warriors in a ruthless display at Hillidge Road.
Sam Dowsett claimed a first-half hat-trick whilst Adam Jackson, Zak Steel and Thomas Wilkinson also crossed to ensure Askam ran out deserved winners and persist as table toppers in the division.
Kristian Tyson converted five goals to inflict further misery on the hosts - who had Gareth Croft sin-binned on 62 minutes - but the hosts had the final say as Luke Day touched down with five minutes remaining, Daryl Gaunt added the extras.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Was a cold one today at <a href="https://twitter.com/hunsletwarrior1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hunsletwarrior1</a> <br>Good to get the win in tought conditions <br>Time to warm up now with a ðŸº<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sandrats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sandrats</a> <a href="https://t.co/hJVuvVJeIk">pic.twitter.com/hJVuvVJeIk</a></p>— Askam ARLFC (@Askam_ARLFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Askam_ARLFC/status/975054074537283584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Division 3 | Salford Roosters 20-18 Millom
Salford Roosters earned their first points of the season after overcoming Millom 20-18 in a nail-biting encounter at Moat Hall.
Barry Hamilton, George Kemp and Craig Wells crossed to ensure The Roosters secured their maiden victory of the season.
Paul Morgan kicked four goals throughout the contest - the latter of which was the point-sealing kick as the scrum-half converted from the left touchline in the final minute of the tie.
Paul Morgan wins the game for @SalfordRoosters with a touchline conversion v Millom in @OfficialNCL Division 3
— Mallorca Alty (@CestrianAlty) March 17, 2018
https://t.co/atuexmXran via @youtube
To find out all the results from this weekend's action, click here.
