NCL round-up: Dewsbury Celtic back on top of table after strong second half display
Dewsbury Celtic are back on top of Division One of the National League following a commanding victory while rivals Kells were losing to East Leeds.
Celtic put themselves in pole position for the title after winning 60-12 at relegation-haunted Pilkington Recs, who had battled back from 16-0 down to only 20-12 adrift early in the second period with two Jamie Smith tries and Josh O’Connell’s conversions.
But the visitors, who had won 76-0 in Dewsbury, upped the tempo to close with two tries each for Jordan Hirst, Drew Judge-Clark and Casey Canterbury.
Dom Senior, Cal Wilkins, Joel Gibson, Joe Edwards and Luke Johnson also crossed while Hirst and Gibson booted four goals apiece in a sixth successive win.
The cause of Pilks, who have lost their last seven games, was not helped by the sin-binning of O’Connell on 63 minutes, when Celtic led 36-12, for a professional foul.
Third-placed Dewsbury Moor Maroons showed the kind of form they will need for the forthcoming play-offs as they completed the double over Leigh Miners.
They had won the away game 40-16 and were convincing winners again by a 39-8 verdict in Dewsbury.
Leigh, who are two points shy of the top-six, were 29-0 down before Noah Lancelott dotted down on 63 minutes, while Bradley Lewis claimed the contest’s last try, some 10 minutes later.
The Maroons otherwise held sway with a Jake Butterfield brace and tries by Taylor Russell, Joe Berry, Matthew Race, Aaron James and Gregory Colbridge.
Louie Walker kicked five goals while Race landed a drop-goal to help his side to a 13-0 interval lead.
Shaw Cross Sharks’ bid to go level with visitors Oulton Raiders in the quest for a play-off spot was thwarted when the Raiders registered the only points of the second half.
The teams were level at the break at 16-16 and how evenly matched they are was shown as they had drawn 24-24 at Oulton earlier in the season.
Adam Burlington and Matty Stableford crossed while Archie Craggs landed the last two of his four goals to seal a 28-16 win this time for the Raiders.
Charlie Costello, Noah Crawshaw and Nathan Waring had crossed in the first half for the visitors while Jack Toulson, Sam Busfield and Seb Jeffers had replied for the hosts, Evan Stephenson improving two efforts.
The Sharks are away to Kells this Saturday while Celtic host Wigan St Patricks and the Maroons are away to Pilkington Recs.