Northern Premier
PRESTON Grasshoppers further consolidated their hold of the top of the table beating Wirral 14-7 in an ill-tempered match at Thornton Common.
Oga Mabaya and PJ Melia backing up a powerful drive by Ally Murray and Matt Frings were the Hoppers try-scorers both converted by Jake Squirrel.
Lymmhad to come from behind in the closing stages to manage a 25-25 draw away at Billingham, a result which sees them drop to third place in the table.
Tom Briggs, Elliott Husband and Martin Hopley were the home try-scorers, Dan Finney successful with two conversions and two penalties. Adam Bray, Aaron Rashid and Ali Sutherland were the Lymm try-scorers with Cormack Nolan slotting two conversions and two penalties.
Hull took full advantage of that draw and now take over in second spot after a 41-12 win to Pocklington. Steve Hiheta led the way with a hat-trick and with 27 tries in the bag this season he has already broken a club try-scoring record with the second half of the season still to go.
Joe Stafford, Mike Adlard, Joe Martin and Steve Johnson all crossed for one apiece with Johnson also on target with three conversions.
Tom Peters and David Birche were the Pocklington try-scorers with Colin Pollard adding one conversion. Kendal edged out local rivals Kirkby Lonsdale 11- 10 at home in the all-Cumbria derby. Dino Noyo was the only tryscorer for the home side with Glenn Weightman and Nathan Woof kicking a penalty each. Tyran Faga crossed for a try for the visitors to add to a penalty from Augustin Cittadini.
In the final game, Ilkley further added to Morley's woe beating the bottom club 25-23 at Stacks Field.
Although the away side went in at the interval 13-6 ahead two quick tries and a conversion early in the second half from the home side turned the game on its head.
Andy Ellis and Mark Chester were the visitors' try scorers with Chester also on target with two conversions and three penalties to grab a losing bonus point.
Birkenhead Park v Rossendale and Sandal v Harrogate were both postponed due to the weather.
