Regional Premier League round-up
SANDBACH ended Birmingham & Solihull Bees' perfect record as they subjected the Midlands Premier leaders to a first defeat of the season, withstanding a late fightback to win 23-20.
An early penalty was followed by Elliott Morris' try as Sandbach opened up an early lead and, although Max Rodman responded, Jack Leach's score ensured Sandbach led 13-5 at half time, extended by a further penalty after the break.
Bees hit back as tries from Zane Raimondi and Umraan Jadwatt reduced the deficit to one but they then had Nathan Tilsley sent off, with Morris taking advantage with Sandbach's third try. Jadwatt claimed his second and Bees had the chance to snatch a draw but Jack Jolly missed a penalty with the final play.
Elsewhere in the Midlands, Newport Salop closed to within ten points of Peterborough Lions in second, as they beat Doncaster Phoenix 64-21.
Scunthorpe are two points further back in fourth after beating Longton 23-12 for a ninth consecutive win, Scunthorpe doing most of the work by half time, leading 20-5 whilst Bridgnorth thrashed Old Halesonians 77-5, the latter falling to a 19th consecutive defeat with relegation virtually certain.
In the South West, two of the day's three games survived the weather after Ivybridge's clash with Maidenhead was postponed.
Newton Abbot are just four points off second placed Bournemouth in fourth, after beating strugglers Lydney 28-7.
Tries from Will Castleton and Jarryd Harris put the hosts in control and although Lydney pulled one back, Kev Dennis' late score sealed a comfortable win.
Brixham claimed a bonus point, shutting out Exmouth 28-0. Russ Morris, Sam Thomas and Dom Conner crossed as they led 21-0 at half time. Morris' second to seal the extra point late on.
With just four rearranged games in North Premier and two of those weathered off it was sparse pickings in the North of
Harrogate took the advantage of third-place Hull not playing, moving above their Yorkshire rivals following a 12-0 win at home to relegation threatened Morley.
A catch and drive saw Guy Coser over, Luke White on hand with the conversion. There was little to entertain in the second half but Harrogate did manage to get Andy Boyd over from a driving maul.
In the only other game played Lymm hung onto second place despite going down 21-3 away at Ilkley – Cormack Nolan's Lymm penalty the only score in the first half.
In the second, Ilkley started to attack strongly and got Jack Maplesten over from a catch and drive. Pat Power brought up the second, again the result of sustained pressure on the Lymm line with No.8. John Henry-Johnson ploughing over for the third, all converted by Charles Morgan.
There was just one rearranged game in London Premier with fourth-place Hertford putting pressure on Tring in third after beating Westcliff 12-19 at The
Gables.
Sean Taylor crossed twice with Ben Creasy going in for one. Taylor added two conversions.
