Middlesbrough stormed to their third successive win to climb further away from the North One East relegation zone
Middlesbrough stormed to their third successive win to climb further away from the North One East relegation zone.
And Saturday’s 22-9 success over fourth-placed Rochdale at Acklam Park was probably the best win of the lot, as Middlesbrough responded well after being forced on to the back foot early in the game.
Dale dominated for the first 20 minutes, but Middlesbrough defended well with good organisation and strong tackling. Dale struck two penalties, but couldn’t break through for a try.
But Middlesbrough did on 25 minutes when Mike Thornburn picked up a pass 35 metres out and powered over in the corner. Eight minutes later Richard Metcalfe burst through to score and put Middlesbrough in front, and although both Matthew Todd and Simon O’Farrell were wayward with their kicking it didn’t prove costly.
On the stroke of half time, following a fine tackle by skipper Rob Bellerby, Rhys Kilbride scored Middlesbrough’s third try.
Dale’s cause was not helped by a yellow card in each half, though they pulled back three points with a second half penalty.
However O’Farrell had the last word, completing the scoring 15 minutes from time. His try gave Middlesbrough a bonus point, and he converted.
Middlesbrough are now six points above third from bottom Morpeth with three games remaining.
In the Division above, National Three North Billingham’s position is precarious following a 38-15 home defeat to high fliers Sale
Sale scored an early penalty, but by the 12th minute Billingham were ahead when Danny Dixon touched down and Peter Evans converted.
An Evans penalty on the stroke of half time levelled at 10-10, but the visitors had the better of the second half, with Dixon’s second try at the end of the game being no more than a consolation, for Billingham who are a single point above the relegation zone.
In Durham and North One Guisborough took another step towards a play-off place with 31-23 win at bottom club Bishop Auckland, though Guisborough still have work to do.
However they have appealed to the RFU to replay their game at leaders Horden, which they lost. Guisborough were unable to complete a front row because of an injury and a player being sin-binned.
On Saturday Guisborough were not at their best but won with tries from James Clark (later red-carded), Phil Shields, Mike Southers, Liam Corcoran and Owen Edwards. Clark kicked three conversions.
Stockton lost 26-22 at home to Hartlepool Rovers, but at least picked up a bonus points. Stockton were able to field their best side for some time.
Jeremy Good struck an early penalty for Stockton, then converted Dan Phinn’s try. Skipper Steve Taylor and full back Dan Wilson added second half tries, Good converting one of them, but it was not quite enough, and Stockton are too close for comfort to the bottom three.
No such problems for Redcar in Division Two. They won 104-5 at home to bottom club Prudhoe, with 16 tries and 12 conversion, all kicked by Richie Young, who also scored four tries.
The visitors turned up with just 15 players and were soon down to 14. Charlie Templeman scored four tries, with others coming from James Allison (2), Ben Durrans (2), Danny McIlvenny, Andy Little, Craig Newlands, on his debut, and Greg Unthank.
In Yorkshire One Acklam lost 60-24 at Selby.
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