Liverpool St Helen’s take top spot with win at Douglas

Losing bonus point for Douglas

Liverpool St Helen’s went top of South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One with a 29-22 win away at Douglas who picked up a losing bonus point but could have had more.

Jake Hodson’s early try gave LSH a 5-0 lead and, after Bryn Snellgrove and Dan Filson exchanged penalties, the teams turned around with LSH ahead 8-5.

Early in the second half LSH grabbed two line out tries with catch and drive moves.

Chris Houlton notched the first and Sam Molyneux the second. Filson converted both to give his side a commanding 22-3 lead.

Douglas struck back with two tries from second row Mark McGee and a conversion from Snellgrove.

That brought them back to within touching distance at 22-15 but LSH killed off their hopes when Mark Fryer went in under the posts.

Filson converted again and the game was all but over.

Douglas did snatch a losing bonus point with a penalty try which Snellgrove converted, but any further scores were beaten by the clock.

Ramsey were beaten 20-36 at home by second placed Oswestry in Cheshire (South).

Missing several regulars, Ramsey gave a good account of themselves but Oswestry, who are three points behind the leaders, were just too strong.

Dan Bonwick and Mark Oldfield both crossed for Ramsey tries, with Scott Kneale kicking two conversions and two penalties.

Ramsey drop to ninth place in the standings after Trentham and Moore drew.

Vagabonds’ five match winning streak came to a sudden halt at Ballafletcher where they were beaten 22-3 by Marple, who climbed into third place as a result.

A solitary Leigh Kennaugh penalty was all Vagas had for their efforts but they do hold onto sixth place after Heaton Moor lost at home to Dukinfield.