1 North East

By GEOFF LIGHTFOOT

BILLINGHAM still lead the table following a 45-7 win at home to Sandal.

Victory was secured through tries from Jobe Roxby, Dan Dixon, Luke Wilson with two, Ryan Kirkbride, Ben Walton and Martin Hopley, with Roxby also on target with five conversions. Sandal were awarded a penalty try from a collapsed maul.

The Durham-based side remain the team to beat being, already seven points ahead of the chasing pack.

Driffield remain second having beaten Heath 37-3 at Kellythorpe. Robbie Rix, James Watts, James Short, Ben Dingsdale and Josh Thundercliffe were the try scorers with Watts also successful with three conversions and two penalties. Chris Johnson was the visitors only scorer with a penalty.

The defeat sees Heath drop back to fourth. with Alnwick taking over in third with a 38-15 victory at home to West Bridgeford. Rob Cuthbert, Duncan Smith, Jimmy Cowan, James Bird and Ben Goldthorpe all crossed for tries all converted by Evan Moir who also kicked a penalty. Mike Dean and Will Halliwell went over for the visitors, with Callum Gunn landing one conversion and a penalty.

Cleckheaton were 36-14 victors at home to Paviors. Jack Marshall, Ben Thrower, Thiu Barnard, Brendan Hunter and Brad Marsden, Dale Brakewell kicking four conversions and a penalty. Dan Flint and George Billam went in for the visitors both converted by Billam.

York were 36-14 winners at home to Scunthorpe through tries from Sam Elliot, who crossed for a hat-trick, Toby Atkins bagged two, with Jonty Atkinson the other try scorer. George Davies added two conversions and Elliott one. Kane Linklater and Josh Luxton went in for the visitors both converted by Ethan Taylor.

Ilkley beat Doncaster Pheonix 16-26 through tries from Chucky Ramsey, James Lowes, Ben Walker and Ben McGee, Ramsey also successful with three conversions. Matty Drennan was the try scorer for the home side converted by Sam Brooks who also landed three penalties.

At the moment, Billinghan apart, the other promotion spot looks to be between Driffield, Heath and Alnwick with just five points separating the sides. While trying to avoid the drop are Paviors, Scunthorpe and West Bridgeford.