National Midlands Three

TWO late scores gave Mansfield a 17-13 win over Hinckley at Eakring Road.

Four minutes into the game, Lee Shaw kicked a penalty to open the scoring.

A few minutes later, Joe Symcox was despatched to the sin bin and was followed three minutes later by Lee Shaw.

This offence gave Hinckley a penalty which was successful bringing the score to 3-3.

Hinckley took the lead in the second half when they executed a perfect 'catch and drive' at the line-out to set up a try and conversion to lead 10-3 after 55 minutes.

Ten minutes later, Tom Calladine picked up from the base and fed Adam Shaw. He slipped the ball to Ryan Hough and he crashed through his opposite number for the score.

Shaw levelled the score again with the conversion.

On 70 minutes, Hinckley were back in the lead after a penalty but with only three minutes left, Calladine crashed over just wide of the posts and Shaw converted to give the home side a hard-fought victory.

Midlands 1

Ilkeston returned from Wentworth Drive with a 26-15 victory over Bedford Athletic.

The Elks exerted the early pressure and were rewarded after eight minutes when Gatehouse crashed through tackles to score and Falls converted.

On the 20 minute mark, Smith raced around his marker to score and Falls again converted to make it 14-0.

Quinn was next on the scoresheet after a good passing move and Falls again added the extras to give the Elks a 21-0 lead.

Just before half-time approached, Bedford drove the ball from a line-out and Mortimer's perfect cross-field kick gave Breeze a simple touchdown to make it 21-5 at the break.

Two minutes into the half, Wolfenden took a line-out throw and fed Orton who ducked under tacklers to score. Mortimer's conversion reduced the deficit to 21-12.

Bedford reduced that further with a penalty from Mortimer after 49 minutes.

Two minutes later, the Elks stretched away again when Corcoran claimed the final touchdown and the bonus point try.

Midlands 2

Oakham proved too strong for Casuals, beating them 29-16 at Canalside.

Casuals led 13-7 at the interval with tries from Steve Sarno and then Brodie Howatson, following an interception.

Sarno was on hand to reap the rewards when Casuals got possession from a line-out close to Oakham's line.

The second try was somewhat more opportunistic, Howatson managing to steal the ball from an Oakham move, clutching a pass to run from Casuals' 22 to a touchdown in the corner.

Higgins added two penalties, one in each half, but Oakham ran in four tries for the bonus point.

Leaders Newark continued their winning ways at Kelham Road when they beat Bakewell Mannerians 40-13.

Mannerians scored the first try in the seventh minute and led 13-12 at the interval before Newark took over in the second half.

They struggled early on and Mannerians took an early lead through a try and conversion.

Centre Alex Moore's first try pegged back Mannerians only for a further penalty to put them 10-5 up.

Naylor took charge at a rolling maul off a line-out to score a second try for Newark.

Cox converted for a 12-10 lead but the Bakewell team again showed their tenacity in kicking a further penalty to lead 13-12 at half-time.

Newark dominated an eventful second half. Britten put them ahead again two minutes after the interval by finishing off on the outside. Cox converted for a 19-13 lead.

A further try three minutes later from May was converted by Cox and stretched Newark's lead to 26-13.

Tate charged over in the 76th minute to be followed in the closing stages by a second from Moore. Cox converted both of the last two tries.

Newark play at Oakham, kick off 2.15pm, next Saturday.

Pennant

Ripley Rhinos were hammered 48-0 by a quicker, fitter and younger Southwell 3rd team.