Hull 19 (Tries: Wilson, McKenzie, Atkinson. Cons: Tangohau 2.). 

Morley 15 (Tries: Murphy, Hopton. Con: Stephens. Pen: Stephens.). 

In a titanic struggle at Haworth Park Hull became only the second side to defeat league leaders Morley, whose unbeaten run stretched back to December 10^th, and in doing so they gained sweet revenge for two heavy away defeats at Morley in league and cup games this season.

Hull gave a senior debut to 17-year old Luke Orr in the second row and they got off to a fine start with a try in the 5^th minute when centre Waylon Tangohau broke the cover in a 30-yard run before leaving the supporting John Wilson to get the touch-down.  Tangohau failed to convert and two minutes later fly-half Colin Stephens got his side on the board with a well-taken penalty goal.

There was no further scoring until the 38^th minute when following a period of Hull pressure a clearance kick from Peter Murphy was picked up by Tangohau and again the Kiwi centre ran the ball back about 30 yards before Wilson was held just short.  Second-phase play saw Hull move the ball left across the posts for Leroy McKenzie to score to the left of the posts leaving Tangohau to convert to put Hull 12-3 ahead.

Morley’s response was immediate and as the half went into added time a move to the left saw full-back Peter Murphy hit the line to score near the corner.  Stephens made a fine kick from wide out for the conversion but the ball hit the upright to bounce wide.

Morley began the second half strongly and in the 43^rd minute a move across the face of the posts resulted in No 8 David Hopton scoring a good try which Stephens converted.

15-12 to Morley and they began to dominate the game for a period but Hull weathered the storm and for half an hour there was no further scoring. 

In the 73^rd minute some strong Hull forward play saw Morley kept on the back foot and as the ball was moved left Hull’s hooker Adam Atkinson crashed over beneath the posts for his 50^th try for the club, and what a time to get it.  Tangohau converted to make it 19-15 but Hull had to defend their lead for a further seven minutes of normal play and then another nail-biting nine minutes of added time.  During the latter stages Hull’s defence was magnificent as they held their slender lead to take the league points.

This had been an excellent game of rugby played in a fine spirit and Hull were led through the Morley tunnel by debutant teenager Luke Orr, who had played until the 65^th minute and gave a good display against a very good Morley pack..

Westoe 27 (Tries: Fitzpatrick, Gibson, S Haswell, Okwe, Smith. Con: D Haswell.). 

Huddersfield 14 (Tries: Taylor, Summers. Cons: Grayshon 2.). 

Report courtesy of Huddersfield RUFC.

HUDDERSFIELD still have two North I games to go, but there was a distinct end of season feel about this display.

Even though they trailed 17-7 at half-time, everything seemed set up for a fightback in South Shields.

They had the advantage of both numbers, following the 39th-minute sending off of home winger Mark Olugbode for punching, and the pronounced slope on a gluepot of a Westfield Terrace pitch.

But Westoe were allowed to score twice in the first eight minutes of the second half, destroying any hopes of a seventh Field win in eight.

This was the 12th successive Saturday on which Field have played a league game, while Westoe were in action for the first time for a month.

But there were no signs of rustiness in the home ranks as fly half David Haswell got in behind the Field defence to set up his brother, centre Graeme, for a touchdown after just 90 seconds.

David Haswell was unable to add the conversion (he was successful with just one out of five attempts), while opposite number Jamie Grayshon was short with an ambitious penalty attempt from halfway in the sixth minute.

But Field were in front a minute later after another penalty in a similar position.

This time Grayshon went for touch, and after the Westoe eight were shunted back from the line-out, a neat passing movement involving backs Grayshon, Lee Paxman, Steve Lynch and Alex Shaw was finished wide out by left winger Tim Taylor.

Grayshon added the difficult conversion for a 7-5 advantage, but Westoe were back in front in the 15th minute.

Little seemed on when flanker Karl Gibson gained possession just inside the Field half, but his darting run down the left caught the visitors cold, with full-back Shaw's last-ditch tackle being evaded.

Neither side were able to fully master a tricky surface, although David Haswell's quick tap on 24 minutes almost brought a try for Vinnie Bell, only for the full-back to be forced into touch by scrum half Damian Clayton with the line beckoning.

Westoe did force their third touchdown of the afternoon after 32 minutes when David Haswell and Bell combined for flanker Jon Okwe-Pearson to reach over and set up a straightforward conversion.

Field's former Westoe winger Steve Lynch was the man on the receiving end when, during a skirmish involving two from each side, Olugbode lashed out right in front of Merseyside referee Nick Buckton.

And Field almost struck straight after the red card, with centre Neil Summers' break being carried on by flanker Mark Whitehead, only for desperate defence to pay off.

Both sets of supporters must have been expecting a Field onslaught down the slope in the second half, but it failed to materialise.

It wasn't until the last few minutes that the Westoe line was seriously challenged, with Summers jinking his way through from a pass by Grayshon, who added the conversion.

The seven points were of consolation value only since tries by winger James Fitzpatrick, after a 45th-minute diagonal run from midfield, and No8 Graeme Smith, who was driven over in the 48th minute, had put Westoe in the comfort zone.

.

Middlesbrough 27 (Tries: Micklewright, D Richardson, Palesci. Cons: Moore 3. Pens: Moore 2.). 

Longton 7 (Try: Chalmers. Con: Britton.). 

Longton produced their worst performance of the season in going down by 27-7pts away at next to bottom Middlesbrough. As has often been the case this year Longton got off to a slow start and allowed the home team to take the initiative. However, neither side looked like breaking through the defences as much of the play was confined to the midfield. As they began to win more ball Longton came more into the game and a promising counter attack from full back, James Britton, broke down with a loose pass when there was a three on one advantage down the left wing. Then, Middlesbrough were forced into desperate defence on more than one occasion when first Paul Green was hauled down within sight of the line and shortly afterwards, James Gabriel was stopped with less than a metre to the try line. Winger, Nigel Freeman picked up a loose ball and sped to the line but the referee had spotted a knock on as he collected the ball and correctly disallowed the score.
Middlesbrough took the lead with a penalty from 30m for offside at a ruck and this seemed to give the home side some impetus. They increased their lead with a converted try to go into half time 10-0pts.up.

Early in the second half Nigel Freeman had to leave the field with a calf injury to be replaced by Gary McDermott but with the wind in their favour the home team began to exert more pressure without ever looking very threatening. However, the Longton play became more disjointed and their error count increased. The tackling liked bite except for Luke Grainger who tried manfully to break up the opposition play with some fine defence. Middlesbrough then produced one of the few fast flowing back movements of the game and opened up the Longton defence to score near the posts to make the score 17-0pts, a lead that was increase by three more points when they slotted over a penalty for obstruction after replacement prop Matt Davies was yellow carded for the offence only three minutes after coming on as a replacement for injured hooker, Craig Wilson.
With less than a quarter of the game remaining, Longton finally came to life and they swept forward in a series of attacks. They were camped in the home "22" forcing Middlesbrough into giving away penalty after penalty. The pressure was bound to tell in the end and fly half Matt Chalmers burst through a gap to dive over near the posts for Tony Wheat to land an easy conversion. This spurred on the previously lack lustre visitors and they resumed their onslaught on the home line. An unlikely comeback seemed possible but Longton lost possession and a booted clearance led to the visitor's defence fumbling the loose ball which allowed Middlesbrough to scoop up the ball and with good support play score a further try which was converted to bring the score to 27-7pts. Although Longton came back onto the attack once again the tiring home defence held out and Middlesbrough recorded a well deserved victory in a match of poor quality which reflected the lowly position of both teams.
Longton now have two home games to restore their pride and save themselves from relegation, Chester next week and Hull the week after followed by a visit to bottom club Whitchurch who are already doomed. Six points are vital but it will need more pride and application than shown today to ensure North 1 league status next year.

Chester 6 (Pen: Bebbington. DG: Bebbington). 

West Park St Helens 12 (Pens: Soutar 4.). 

West Park picked up a good away win in a match dominated by the boot.

Andy Soutar kicked the visitors ahead in the 10^th minute with a penalty goal. Chester were level on 25 minutes when Mike Bebbington dropped a goal but before the break Soutar added a second penalty goal to send Park in 6-3 ahead.

Park went 9-3 ahead on 56 minutes with a third Soutar penalty goal but just two minutes layer Bebbington slotted over a penalty goal to make it a three point game.

The final score of the match came in the 65^th minute when Soutar made it four out of five for the afternoon and Park ran out 12-6 winners   

Birkenhead Park 22 (Tries: Clarke, Jones, Ibbotson. Cons: Davis 2. Pen: Davis.). 

Altrincham Kersal 9 (Pens: Wainwright 3.). 

Park went ahead early in the game when Alex Davis slotted over a penalty goal which was cancelled out when Richard Wainwright replied for the visitors. In the 6^th minute. Before the end of the first quarter Park were ahead again with prop Steve Clarke going over for the games opening try and Davis converted for 10-3. Before half time Wainwright reduced the deficit with a second penalty goal but on half time the home side got a second try as flanker Danny Jones went over and Park went in 15-6 ahead.

In the second half Wainwright pulled three points back for the visitors but in the 78^th minute Park sealed the win when No 8 Dave Ibbotson went over for a try and Davis added the extras. .

Caldy 37 (Tries: Lyon 2, Dickinson 2, Kelly. Cons: Wylie 3. Pens: Wylie 2.). 

Whitchurch 7 (Try: Baxter. Con: Hares.). 

The first step towards Caldy’s North 1 league safety was successfully accomplished on Saturday in their predicted victory over bottom of the league team Whitchurch.  All credit must be given to the Shropshire side who having had their relegation confirmed last week, where trailing 24 – 0 by half time but never gave up throughout.  Caldy may perhaps but less satisfied by the manner and style of victory but it was a day for winning, even if it was not as pretty as they might have liked.  Caldy were always in control and with the absence of player Coach Matt Holt who had been struck down with a virus and hooker Paul Feely also unavailable left only 20 year old Jack Parker as the familiar face in the front row.  He was joined by a combination of youth and experience up front with 19 year old David Kelly at hooker and the redoubtable 2^nd team manager Gareth (Gaz) Davies at prop.  It was great to see Kelly in the side who has always been a promising talent but had been struck down by illness in recent years.  There was also a pleasing return for Ben Lyon in the centre.  Ben is another huge talent who had badly broken his leg earlier in the season and marked his return with a brace of tries. The victory took Caldy into 8^th place in the league above Chester, Longton, Middlesbrough & Whitchurch.  The former two however, both have three games in hand whist Middlesbrough have one game in hand at home to play off chasing West Park next weekend.  At the same time Chester will travel to Longton needing to secure one of two wins out of the remaining 5 which include Longton home & away but also leaders Morley, Altrincham Kersal and Birkenhead Park.  Longton have a mixed run in which includes one banker win away at Whitchurch but they will be desperate to win next week against Chester and not have to look to less likely wins over Hull at home, Westoe away and Chester away.  For Caldy they have only two matches left but there is still so much rugby to play.  Next up is Westoe at home in two weeks time.  The North-East side have a formidable unbeaten home record however, they have won only three of their ten away games and lost the last four on the road.  The final game of the season sees Caldy travel to Middlesbrough. Acklam Park does not have happy memories for Caldy who lost there in the play off two seasons ago and Middlesbrough have a fair home record having won 5 of their 9 games there this season.  Caldy therefore will want to ensure that they secure the points against Westoe which should make their eventual trip to the North East a less tense affair.

Saturday had begun with bright sunshine and a light breeze.  By 3.00 p.m. at Paton Field, Whitchurch kicked off playing into a strong wind that drove in the rain.  Spring had changed to Autumn and it took Caldy some time to adapt to playing wet weather rugby.  They looked slack and it was the visitors who had the opening opportunity with a penalty kick that scrum half Hares put wide.  However, on 17 minutes Ben Lyon mark his return to 1^st team rugby with the opening try.  The ball was secured at a line-out and spun outside for Lyon to take the crash ball and score.  Marcus Coast added the conversion for 7 – 0.  Caldy now settled to the tricky playing conditions and after a period of sustained pressure number 8 Sam Dickinson drove over to score for 12 – 0.  A scrum on the Whitchurch 5 metres saw the ball moved away swiftly and Ben Lyon sidestepped in under the post and Coast concluded the formalities on 33 minutes.  Just before the interval David Kelly took the ball on fro a rolling maul and touched down for 24 – 0 at half time.