WIRRAL suffered a surprise 22-20 defeat at Wigan in South Lancashire/Cheshire One but are assured of the title with nearest rivals Bowdon also going down.
Alistair Baker crossed twice with both conversions from Dan Harvey and a brace of penalties via Sam Broadbent for Wirral but Wigan snatched it with a penalty try in added time.
Widnes got through by the skin of their teeth in the Isle of Man but slip back to fourth spot on points difference in South Lancs Cheshire One.
They scored two tries in the first half from Andy Riley and George Lang but trailed 17-14 at half-time. They upped their efforts in the second half but it took a late converted try to secure the two points.
Anselmians took the derby against Hoylake 25-6. Tries were credited to Matt Allen, Peter Rees and John Close with Simon Mason hitting two conversions and two penalties. Hoylake had to settle for a couple of penalties from Steve Young.
Ormskirk were the side to beat Bowdon with a 22-12 scoreline but Warrington failed 8-3 at Oswestry.
Sefton saw off Orrell Anvils 16-11 in Division Two thanks to two tries from Dave Stanistreet and two penalties via Adam Marnell. The Anvils had a Geoff Huxley try and penalties from Chris Bean and Mark Hewlett.
Collegiate beat Crewe and Nantwich 22-7 and Ruskin Park finished 20-6 to the good against Southport but Oldershaw lost 30-3 at Moore.
Parkonians crushed Ellesmere Port 62-10 in Division Three. Terry Williams and Barry Owens each went in twice with other tries via Matt Dooley, Mark Hillan, Craig Whelan, Tom Sutton, Ben Pearson and Dan Blythe.
Prenton came away 43-6 to the good from Port Sunlight. Daryl Parker, Lee Gordon, Oliver Roberts, Jamie Newman and Mark Astbury were amongst the try scorers.
Capenhurst were happy with a 24-3 triumph at Congleton.
A Peter Stephenson try and a Mike Edwards conversion were not quite enough for St Edwards as they went under 10-7 against Chorley in North Lancs Two.
Mossley Hill beat North Manchester 20-7 whilst St Mary’s played out a 22-22 draw with Carnforth.
COLLEGIATE continued their campaign to seal the South Lancs/Cheshire title following their 22-7 win over Crewe and Nantwich at Liverpool Cricket Club.
Tries were scored by Marcus Holden, Ross Smith and Dave Wareing with Nick Saunders kicking two conversions and a penalty. The first XV have two games remaining both against Wallasey home and away.
The second XV continued the club’s fantastic form in Division Four West, as they secured back to back promotions with a 21-3 win away at Merseyside Police. Luke Cobb, Phil Brown and Paddy Breen all crossed with Paul Walsh slotting two penalties.
The third XV were unable to get a match following a late call-off by the opposition.
