THATTO Heath Crusaders leapfrogged Egremont into second place on the National Conference League Premier Division ladder courtesy of overcoming a tricky away clash with Underbank Rangers.

Heath, who scored five tries in their 30-10 victory, remain 12 points behind runaway leaders Hunslet Club Parkside but are in a strong position to extend their winning run to four games when they take on Wath Brow Hornets on Saturday.

Heath went behind early on, with Richard Pogson slotting over a penalty goal.

However, this proved to be the only time in which Rangers led, with a levelling penalty from Bobbie Goulding and tries from Ben Heyes, Adam Saunders and Matty Norton giving them a firm grip on the game.

Rangers started the second half with gusto, after tries from Sam Ansell and Owen Restall but Heath always looked the more competent side, and tries in the final 10 minutes from Louis Taylor and Corey Lee sealed the victory for the visitors.

Goulding kicked five goals and his all-round performance earned him the man-of-the-match award.

The win also ended Underbank’s six-game winning streak and clinched a league double over the Yorkshire side after a 28-14 victory earlier in the season.

Crusaders: Ben Heyes; Louis Taylor, Matty Norton, Adam Saunders, Corey Lee; Josh Crehan, Bobbie Goulding; Adam Hesketh, Sean Kenny, Max Dudley, Adam Prendergast, Connor Dwyer, Andy Lea. Subs: Matt Kilgannon, Jonny Rae, Connor Foster, Brad Ashurst.

In the North West Mens League Cup Final, Thatto Heath A fell to a 28-12 defeat against West Bank.

Despite holding a slender 12-10 lead at half time, Heath struggled to keep up the intensity in the second 40, conceding three tries.

Ryan Heaton and Charlie Taylor crossed for tries converted by Tom Rigby.

However, cup success was enjoyed by Thatto Heath B who triumphed in the North West Mens League Shield Final, defeating Wigan Spring View 30-16.

Heath held a 10-6 advantage going into the break, before overrunning their opposition in the second half with a couple of late tries seeing them home.

Meanwhile, Pilkington Recs’ 35-16 success at York Acorn places them withing the top six of NCL Division One.

At half time the Recs were behind 10-6 and after scoring within the first minute of the re-start York crumbled.

Man of the Match Ryan Hilliard had to leave the field on the 65th minute after a high tackle left him dazed. Other great performances came from Kyran Knapper, Mike Garrity and Jon Keys.

A trip to Shaw Cross Sharks awaits on Saturday.

Pilks under 18s player Finley Swift is touring Serbia this week with Wales under 19s.

St Helens Star:

Fin in his Welsh top being congratulated by Derek Cross, Pilkington’s vice president