Drighlington 26 Rylands Sharks 12

RYLANDS go into the National Conference League Division Three play-offs in losing form after falling to defeat at second-placed Drighlington.

That allowed Eastmoor Dragons to leapfrog them in the final standings, leaving them in fifth place.

Matt Wilson’s side will return to Drighlington as a result this Saturday, kick off 2.30pm, for a play-off clash they need to win to keep alive their hopes of following neighbours Crosfields up a level.

Despite conceding the first points through a penalty goal, Rylands crossed the whitewash first through substitute Jack Lawlor when he drove over from 15 metres out with his first touch of the ball.

The hosts hit back to take the lead when winger John Gallagher touched down a kick-through from Nathan Larvin, who grabbed the next try himself to establish for his side a 12-6 lead at the break.

Tyler Whittaker scored a superb try to level the game for Rylands after the interval, but it was to be the Yorkshiremen who grabbed control.

They stepped up a gear, taking the lead again through substitute Josh Milnes before Michael Sanderson picked up a loose ball to put the game beyond the Sharks.

Rylands: Luke Walker; Stuart Simm, Adam Thompson, Luke Gillooley, Kyle Cherrett; Jack Lewis, Sean Boyle; Chris Dean, Dave Walker, Robert Campbell, Matthew Taylor, Nick Braide, Tyler Whittaker. Subs: Elliot Best, Sam Roberts, Kane Doherty, Jack Lawlor.