Egremont Rangers 30, Bradford Dudley Hill 38

Bradford Dudley Hill sent out a clear message that they are determined to claim the National Conference League Division One title with a hard-fought victory over rivals Egremont.

It is a well-known fact that many teams’ hopes of promotion have come unstuck following the long journeys to Cumbria, and Hill looked a little leg weary when they fell behind to a converted try early doors.

Hooker Nathan Kitson restored parity with a pick and run from the ruck before the hosts' centre Blake Mahovic galloped 60 metres for their second.

Hill needed inspiration, and up stepped young half-back Danny Softly to provide the craft and skill in superb style.

He gave a long cut-out pass to enable wingman Neil Wall the chance to pounce in the corner, and another smart off load saw Jamie Steward in under the uprights.

Softly then combined with Steward to give Wall his brace, and Kitson added his third conversion from the touchline to see Hill well in command at 12-22.

A minor lapse led to Egremont claiming a converted touchdown just before the break, and they gave Hill the quivers when they repeated the dose on the restart.

Hill centre Ryan Dickinson sent his brother Alex sprinting to the chalk, and he claimed his second shortly afterwards with a clever side-step.

The dogged Rangers refused to be shaken off, however, and were soon back in the hunt with another six-pointer at 30-32.

It was left to the bulky frame of prop forward Jason Lee to settle matters with a barnstorming run that saw him plant the ball under the sticks, despite the attention of five defenders, leaving Kitson to add his fifth success with the boot.

This ensured the blue and gold’s a happy return, knowing the win had put them second in the table, just three points behind leaders Hunslet Warriors with a game in hand.