Oulton Raiders returned to winning ways in Division One of the National Conference League this weekend as they hosted challengers Kells.
Adrian Holdsworth opened the scoring after four minutes for the hosts with Keiron Walpole adding the first of three goals.
It was soon level at 6-6 in the 9th minute when Mason Lewthwaite replied and Grant Gainford converted.
The close nature of the contest continued with two solid teams going at each other. Defences were largely on top until the 37th minute when Harvey Stevens found a way through for Oulton and Walpole kicked his second goal to secure a 12-6 half-time advantage.
Things remained unchanged until the 58th minute when Liam Higgins broke the deadlock to extend Oulton's advantage and Walpole goaled. Heading into the last twenty minutes Kells knew they had to get something but when Danny Mackintosh dropped a goal, it seemed to knock the stuffing out of their efforts and Oulton pegged their visitors back in a storm during the final quarter to secure a valuable 19-6 win.
Elsewhere in Division One Featherstone Lions continued their mid-season revival with a solid 36-20 win over Skirlaugh while Myton Warriors bucked their losing run with an important 28-22 victory over Saddleworth Rangers.
In Division Two there were contrasting fortunes for the two Dewsbury clubs. Dewsbury Celtic hosted Woolston Rovers and led 24-0 at half-time on route to a 42-0 win while league leaders Heworth stretched their advantage at the top of the table with a 48-14 win over Dewsbury Moor Maroons.
Goal kicking proved vital in Division Three as a topsy-turvy Cumbrian derby went the way of Millom over Hensingham. Both sides scored six tries each with Jack Newbegin claiming the spoils for Millom with five goals in a 32-34 success.
Over at Seaton, Rangers were rampant over Drighlington, running in 12 tries and 9 goals for a comfortable 66-12 win.
Here are this weekend's results:
DIVISION ONE
Featherstone Lions 36 Skirlaugh 20
Lions. T – Redfearn 2, Veerasamy, Garahan, Bingham, Axe, Millard; G – Wandless 4
Skirlaugh. T – Slater, Oliver, Parker, O’Loughlin; G – Newton 2
Myton Warriors 28 Saddleworth Rangers 22
Warriors. T – Douglas 2, Oades, Wray, L James; G – A James 4
Rangers. T – Parry 2, Mills 2, Whitehead; G – Whitehead
Oulton Raiders 19 Kells 6
Raiders. T – Holdsworth, Stevens, Wiggins; G – Walpole 3; FG - Mackintosh
Kells. T – Lewthwaite; G – G Gainford
DIVISION TWO
Dewsbury Celtic 42 Woolston Rovers 0
Celtic. T – Heaton, Waring, Edwards, Teale, Bottomley, Pat Foulstone 2; G – Heaton 7
Heworth 48 Dewsbury Moor Maroons 14
Heworth. T – Dyson-Dent, Chapman 3, Richmond 2, Burton, Jackson, West; G – Elliott, Allan 5
Maroons. T – F Bruce, Croisdale, Vernon; G – Ineson
DIVISION THREE
Hensingham 32 Millom 34
Hens. T – S Smith, Parker 2, Holgate, Kellett, McGarry; G – Kellett 3, Branthwaite
Maroons. T – Thompson, Harris 2, Donaghue, McPherson 2; G – Newbegin 5
Seaton Rangers 66 Drighlington 12
Rangers. T – McGlasson, Smallwood, Bryan 3, Southward 2, Foster 2, Crossman, Reid, Williamson; G – Smallwood 7, Foster 2
Drig. T – Brereton, Pickles; G – Jones 2
Here are next week's fixtures
Saturday 2 July 2022:
PREMIER DIVISION
Hunslet Club Parkside v Lock Lane
Pilkington Recs v Leigh Miners Rangers
Siddal v Thatto Heath Crusaders
West Hull v Thornhill Trojans
York Acorn v Rochdale Mayfield
DIVISION ONE
Hull Dockers v Ince Rose Bridge
Myton Warriors v Stanningley
Skirlaugh v Oulton Raiders
West Bowling v Featherstone Lions
Wigan St Patricks v Milford
DIVISION TWO
Barrow Island v Woolston Rovers
Bradford Dudley Hill v Crosfields
Dewsbury Celtic v Hunslet Warriors
Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Heworth
Normanton Knights v Beverley
Wigan St Judes v Clock Face Miners
DIVISION THREE
Bentley v Batley Boys
Oldham St Annes v Drighlington
Hensingham v East Leeds
Seaton Rangers v Millom
Shaw Cross Sharks v Eastmoor Dragons
Waterhead Warriors v Leigh East
