National League round-up: Sharks, Celtic and Maroons all enjoy victories
Seb Jeffers led the way with a hat-trick of tries as Shaw Cross Sharks recorded their second victory of the season in the National League Division One.
A strong first half display saw them open up a 10-0 first half lead at home to Pilkington Recs with Jeffers scoring his first two tries before the visitors turned the game around to lead 12-10, thanks to Tom Connick’s conversions of tries by Warren Paladino and Jamie Smith.
But the Sharks recovered their composure to clinch a 22-12 triumph after regaining the advantage as Spencer Rae went over for a try on 72 minutes.
Evan Stephenson kicked his third goal and, after Pilkington’s Harry Coleman had been sin-binned for dissent, Jeffers’ hat-trick score put the seal on victory.
Division One leaders Dewsbury Celtic fell behind to an early try by Egremeont Rangers’ Kaiden Block, with Joe Lewis adding the first of his three goals, but went on to win 34-22 to maintain their two-point advantage at the top.
Drew Judge-Clark crossed for a brace, while a try and five goals by Jordan Hirst and touchdowns from Josh Frain, Bailey Arnold and Ed Cullen completed the win.
Sam Williams and, with the last touchdowns of the contest, Conner Williams and Lachlan McDowell replied for Rangers.
Title hopefuls Dewsbury Moor Maroons beat Oulton Raiders 24-16 after having led 18-0 early in the second period.
Aaron James and Sam Beety crossed for the Maroons on 22 and 29 minutes respectively and Jackson Walker nipped over five minutes after the restart, but Oulton were only eight points behind as the game entered the final quarter, Archie Craggs having converted one of tries by Noah Kershaw and Kieron Walpole.
A Kieren Hepworth touchdown, though, plus George Woodcock’s fourth goal, gave Moor a 14-point cushion which – after Walker was yellow carded for a high tackle – was needed, the visitors’ Craggs converting Kershaw’s second try.
It was the Maroons’ fourth success from five league matches and they sit nicely in third place.
This Saturday they travel to play Oldham St Annes while Celtic host Pilkington Recs and the Sharks are at home to Leigh Miners Rangers.