WOOLSTON Rovers sent a heavily depleted side to Normanton Knights on Saturday but for a period, they looked like coming back with two points.

When Adam Files and Kieron Jones crossed just after half time to narrow the hosts’ lead to just two points, Rovers appeared to be set up for an assault on victory.

However, the Knights re-established their supremacy and eventually ended up claiming a 48-26 win.

Files went on to add a second try on the hooter with his brother Harry also crossing alongside Morgan Williams, who also kicked a goal as did Aaron Barber and Jay-Jay Catterall.

Stand-in Rovers coach Liam Lawton, who was deputising for head coach Mal Holt, hailed his side’s effort against the Yorkshireman despite slipping to back-to-back defeats.

“The score certainly didn’t reflect the game,” he said.

“We were a bit depleted but the effort from every player was immense and I am certain that the results will come very soon.

“We got back into the game at 18-16 and looked as if we may get something but ultimately we came up a little short.

“Normanton knew they had been in a tough encounter so there are certainly positives for us to take from the match.”

Woolston: Morgan Williams; James Tarpey, Dan Fearnley, Kieran Moore, Kieran Jones; Aaron Barber, Jay-Jay Catterall; Rob Griffiths, Adam Files, Ryan Hickman, Tom Byrne, Alex Smith, Harry Files. Subs: Ryan Brown, Troy Holcroft, Ben Crewe, Wez Lawton.

Back at Monk Sports Club, the Green and Golds’ ‘A’ team had much better fortunes in North West Men’s League Division Three.

They thrashed Rochdale Mayfield A 42-14 in a superb all-round team performance that featured a hat-trick of tries from Ryan Palin.

Troy Brophy also crossed twice for Rovers, with Chris Forster notching 14 points via a try and four conversions.

“That was a brilliant display right from the kick off – we put them on the back foot early on and never let up,” said player-coach Dom Ball, who was standing in while Lawton took charge of the NCL side.

“Our attacking play was exceptional and that was reflected in some of the tries we scored that were top drawer.

“We knew that Mayfield would be tough opponents but despite having to make a lot of changes from last week – six players moved up to the NCL side – we were able to put out a quality side and hopefully we can continue to perform how we have done over these past two games.”

Woolston A: Louis Griffiths; Tom Atherton, Dec Houghton, Troy Brophy, Tom Lowe; Craig Lawton, Chris Forster; Max Ainsworth, Elliott Best, Ryan Palin, Tom Fagan, Nathan Maguire, Dom Ball. Subs: Tom Atherton, Tom Harvey, Lewis Dawson, Ben Moore

In the NWML Premier Division, Latchford Albion were not so lucky as they fell victim to perennial title challengers Ashton Bears.

Martyn Ellis’ side lost 46-0 as Ashton maintained their 100 per cent record this season.

The visitors’ cause was not helped when forward Matty Connelly suffered a badly broken arm, meaning some members of the pack had to play extended minutes and the hosts took full advantage to give the scoreline a very one-sided look.

Latchford will aim to bounce back when they host Shevington Sharks at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick off 2.30pm):

National Conference League:

Division Two: Heworth vs Woolston Rovers, Wigan St Judes vs Crosfields

North West Men’s League:

Premier Division: Latchford Albion vs Shevington Sharks

Division Three: Crosfields A vs Leigh East A, Halton Simms Cross vs Woolston Rovers A

Division Four S&E: Burtonwood Chargers vs Clock Face Miners A, Waterhead Warriors A vs Burtonwood Bridge