Thatto Heath Crusaders 42
Lock Lane 16
Four tries in the last twelve minutes gave Thatto Heath Crusaders a brilliant finish and saw them open up a clear gap in fifth place of the Impact Performance National Conference League Premier Division.
Up until that point it had been a close game against a Lock Lane team who have shown some good improvement in recent weeks to climb to sixth in the table, but now find themselves in eighth behind York Acorn and Kells.
Early on there was little to choose between the teams and there was no score until the 20th minute when Crusaders Connor Dutton dived over from dummy half after Oliver Bloomer had been tackled into touch for Lock Lane.
In blustery conditions, Jack Jones missed the conversion and it wasn't long before the visitors started to link things together. Scrum half Calum Butler was held up over the line after 25 minutes but he created enough room for Danny Holmes to push into for a 30th-minute reply under the posts and converted for a narrow advantage that Lane held until just before the break when Jones, Ryan Houghton and Connor Dwyer combined and zippy fullback Dan McGahan beat three defenders. Again Jones missed the conversion and Lock Lane threatened on the last play with only solid defence denying them.
Into the second half and after Lock Lane made an error, Thatto moved into position and another dummy half raid this time brought a try for substitute Gabe Parker. Jones added his first goal to move the hosts to 14-6.
Lock Lane's response was rapid and excellent ball movement led to Butler sending Bloomer over in the corner. Substitute Connor Turner couldn't goal but it was 14-10 in the 48th minute.
Six minutes later it was Thatto's turn to make a mistake and possession from a forward pass led to Turner scoring from close range and adding the conversion to nudge the visitors back in front at 14-16.
The lead lasted just four minutes when Thatto moved into range and Dutton and Jones did enough to get Dwyer one on one with Lock Lane fullback Harley Sayles and he was able to ground. Jones added his second goal to put Crusaders four points clear.
Lock Lane and Thatto went set for set over the next ten minutes but it was the visitors that cracked when Jake Dickinson crossed from McGahan's pass and Jones extended the advantage with his third goal.
The visitors improvised from the restart, kicking short, however, they were punished when Jonny Rae collected and ran sixty metres for a spirit-breaking try in the 70th minute and Jones converted.
Two further Thatto tries after 74 and 79 minutes added further icing to the win as Ben Stelmszak finished Houghton and Louis Paul's incisive play before Houghton put a rampaging Jamie Tracey over the line in the last minute. Jones finished with five goals.
Shaun Pick impressed throughout for the visitors but Lane were disappointing in the closing stages.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Leigh Miners Rangers collected an important 24-0 win at Hull Dockers, West Hull continued their recent rampaging form with a 50-4 success over Wigan St Patricks, York Acorn claimed the impressive scalp of Wath Brow Hornets with a classic 24-18 victory and Kells accounted for Rochdale Mayfield 26-18.
Division One saw leaders West Bowling hang on for a 32-20 win at rock-bottom Thornhill Trojans. Heworth also saw off Skirlaugh 28-22 in a close run thing and Clock Face Miners staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Stanningley 26-24. Egremont Rangers returned to winning ways with a 42-16 home success over Crosfields and Ince Rose Bridge picked up an important 24-16 home win in their derby with Pilkington Recs.
Close games at Shaw Cross Sharks and Dewsbury Moor Maroons brought victories over Wigan St Judes (28-26) and Normanton Knights (18-14) respectively in Division Two while Barrow Island saw off Milford 30-10, Myton claimed the win over Dewsbury Celtic, 18-10 and Woolston Rovers held off a spirited challenge from Saddleworth Rangers to win 26-14.
Division Three action got underway on Thursday evening when Drighlington won an entertaining game at Eastmoor Dragons 36-28, then on Saturday Seaton Rangers claimed only their second win of the campaign with a 14-10 upset against Beverley. Oldham St Annes were ruthless in a 62-8 home success against Hensingham while Ellenborough Rangers won 30-12 at Bentley to maintain their promotion challenge.
By Dave Parkinson
