Guisborough maintained their title charge with a tight 17-9 win over Durham City - but missed out what could prove to be a valuable bonus point.
It’s now 10 straight wins at Belmangate for the red hot Priorymen as the Durham and North One promotion race continues to simmer along nicely.
Coming up against a strong City side sitting third in the table and having beaten Guisborough 36-17 in November’s reverse fixture, it was never going to be an easy test for Trevor Edwards’ men.
But the Teessiders’ latest win means it’s now no defeat in 12 league matches - a scintillating run dating back to November 1.
However, there was a tinge of disappointment in the air after Saturday’s match as Guisborough fell short of their four-try target, which would have kept them one point above Morpeth in the table.
As a result, they remain above their Northumbrian rivals but only on points difference, after Morpeth recorded a convincing 53-0 win over Stockton.
With only five games remaining, any slip-up could now prove fatal to Guisborough’s title aspirations - with Edwards’ side desperate to avoid the jittery play-off route that has seen them fall at the final hurdle in each of the last two years.
Promotion was also the word on the lips of both Acklam and Redcar on Saturday - and both teams recorded maximum points to maintain their respective Durham and North Two charges.
With only one promotion spot available behind runaway leaders Ponteland, it will be ecstasy for one Teesside club and bitter disappointment for the other when the curtain comes down on this season.
Acklam remain in the driving seat to clinch that spot after their 39-7 victory over Whitley Bay Rockliff at Talbot Park.
Andrew Dalton opened the scoring after seven minutes, with Dean Roberts also crossing to help Acklam into a 15-7 win at the break.
But in the second half Acklam went up a gear, with Roberts scoring his second to cap off a team try, before notching his hat-trick with four minutes remaining.
There was also tries for Danny Ashton and Adam Hutchinson as Acklam maintained their four-point advantage over Redcar.
The Seasiders, meanwhile, did all they could to keep the pressure on as they cruised to a 67-17 win at North Shields.
Centre Craig Newlands bagged four tries, veteran full-back Rob Bryce and winger Danny Addison each notched a brace, while there were also scores for Danny McIlvenny and Matt Curry.
In National Three North, Billingham’s spirited display saw them earn a four-try bonus point against leaders Sale, but went down 41-22 at Greenwood Road.
The result keeps Billingham sixth in the table ahead of next weekend’s trip to Rossendale.
Boro moved up one place in Yorkshire One to fifth despite slipping to a 13-7 defeat at Scarborough.
Meanwhile in Durham and North Three it was an afternoon to forget for Yarm, who were beaten 57-5 at Whitby.
No comments:
Post a Comment