Norman Angell’s League round-up

Last Saturday our side played west coast side Wirral who came to us in confident mood after beating today’s visitors by 18-15 the previous week at Wirral. After leading 12-0 at the break our boys cut loose in the second half to win 42-7.
Elsewhere in the table Birkenhead slumped to a 35-12 defeat at the hands of visitors Sandal in a bottom of the table clash.
Ilkley led unbeaten league leaders Preston Grasshoppers by 17-5 at the break but eventually lost to a try in the eleventh minute of 14 added minutes, which gave the ‘Hoppers a narrow 29-24 victory.
Kendal went down 23-12 at home to a resurgent Billingham who have now won their last five matches.
Newcomers Kirkby Lonsdale proved far too strong for struggling Morley and posted a 50-17 home win.
Pocklington entertained Harrogate in the first-ever league fixture between the two clubs but lost 40-20 to third-placed ‘Gate, and a strangely out-of-touch Rossendale were beaten at home 38-10 by a rampant Lymm side who are still unbeaten so far.
Once again there is no change at the top or bottom of the league table with ‘Hoppers on 42 points, Lymm on 40, ‘Gate on 35 and ourselves on 33 whilst in the nether regions Morley are on three points and yet to win a game, Birkenhead are on eight, Pocklington are on nine and Sandal’s five-pointer has taken then them to 15 and clear of the chasing group.
Today’s top games in the division have to be Harrogate v ‘Hoppers where third play first and our game at the Ferens where fourth play eighth and at Billingham where fifth take on Kirkby Lonsdale who are seventh.
Kirkby Lonsdale are going well in their first season at the higher level and have won four of their five games and are on 24 points.
Wins for both Harrogate and ourselves would tighten up the position at the top of the table.