PREMIER DIVISION
by PHIL HODGSON
WEST HULL remain in second place in the flagship league after easing to a comfortable victory over a LOCK LANE outfit who have slipped out of the play-off berths.
The Green and Golds were 26-0 ahead, in seeking revenge for the 24-16 defeat in Castleford, by the time the Lane opened their account on 65 minutes with Danny Sowerby’s try.
And a twelfth successive win had been secured through Scott Howlett’s late try and Ryan Wilson’s sixth goal before Craig Duncan grabbed a consolation score for the visitors in the closing seconds.
West Hull had, in fact, been in control from the early stages.
Jack Watts crossed in the fourth minute and, as the half-hour mark beckoned, Wilson popped over.
Zeus Silk added a touchdown as the interval approached to help establish an 18-0 interval lead which Wilson extended with a penalty-goal on 48 minutes, and there was no way back for the Lane, despite those two late tries, when Danny Nicklas darted over four minutes later.
Wests and leaders Hunslet ARLFC may be in fine form – but so are ROCHDALE MAYFIELD, who after a fourth successive win are only two points shy of the Green and Golds and have a superior points difference.
Fourth-placed WATH BROW HORNETS, who had been edged 26-24 in Cumbria, opened and closed the scoring with Cole Walker-Taylor’s conversions of tries by Jay Weatherill and Fran King. In-between. however, Mayfield dominated in a 44-12 verdict.
Hornets, who had not previously conceded more than 30 points this season, were 18-6 behind at half-time, Harry Ratcliffe having landed the first three of his five goals in improving touchdowns by James McDaid, Adey Gleeson and Dakota Tolhurst.
Tolhurst went on to complete a hattrick in the second half – Joe Taira converting his last effort – with Travis Long, Taira and Sean Penkywicz also nipping in.
THATTO HEATH, in edging YORK ACORN 28-26 through Adam Saunders’ try five minutes from time, leapfrogged their opponents and Lock Lane into fifth spot.
In a remarkable contest Acorn, who had prevailed 36-16 in York, trailed 12-0 on as many minutes, the Heath’s Jack Jones having converted tries by Harvey McDaid and Josh Crehan.