Rugby League Coaching Manuals

That did not deter the hosts, though, who responded with a try from winger Sam Rhodes. For the bulk of the first half, Saxons where made to defend for long periods but they held firm despite a barrage of great attacking play by the Titans.

Bury made the pressure tell with a second touchdown and the Titans went in ahead 18-14 at half time despite a valiant comeback from the Saxons who scored another well worked try from Rhodes, following a well timed pass from Norwich City centre Paul Robinson who gave Rhodes space to score in the right hand corner.

On a scorching afternoon, the kicking of Norwich's Patrick Reed proved crucial. His bomb caused havoc and a great offload by loose forward John Lee, saw Robinson cross for the opening try of the second half.

The Saxons pushed on, full back Alex Brugger with his elusive running, claiming a fine hat trick, his third of the campaign. Titans kept in contention from another break away try that came from a dropped ball Barry O'Sullivan ensured a home win with a bludgeoning run.

London & South
GUILDFORD GIANTS moved to within a point of SOUTHAMPTON SPITFIRES with a 44-24 away success. SWINDON ST GEORGE consolidated second spot after a 48-20 on the road win at OXFORD CAVALIERS.

South West
EAST DEVON EAGLES maintained their unbeaten position at the top of the league with a 62-24 victory over EXETER CENTURIONS.

The first 10 minutes saw tit for tat scoring with Eagles' Rich Cadywould chasing his kick ahead and touching down between the posts and goaling. For the Centurions, Brent Ryan went over, Chris Durman converting.

The next 10 minutes saw end to end play, Easts' Luke Kent sending in Nathan Budd to the corner, Cadywould landing a superb conversion.

As the Eagles began to dominate, Jack Westlake was tackled just short of the line but skipper Dave McCarthy crashed over from the play the ball and Jack Downie then made a break from halfway, dodged the Centurions defence and scored in the far corner, Cadywould adding the extras.

On the half hour, Paul Morgan kicked ahead, re-gathered on the 20 metre line and went in wide out. Just before half time, McCarthy was held up on the line and Cadywould dummied and passed outside to Shaun Fayter who scored near the posts.

Ryan claimed a second for the visitors just before the break, making it 34-12. There was no score for the opening quarter hour of the second half, but Easts then hit top gear. Mike Wilson and Kent send in McCarthy for his second and from the kick off the ball was taken upfield by Mike Catris who sent in Wilson, Cadywould converting.

Wilson grabbed a second when he picked up from 20 metres and made the corner to bring up the half century. On 70 minutes, good work from Wilson and Darren Bowden with Catris in support saw make the posts after fending off several tackles.

Catris stepped up and kicked his own conversion. Centurions came back into the game when Dave Walter scored between the posts, converted by Ryan but Eagles replied from the re-start when Sean Lovett made a run from halfway before offloading to Cadywould who sidestepped his way in for his brace. The last play of the game saw Centurions Walters score his double, Ryan converting.

DEVON SHARKS claimed second spot with a 30-22 home win over SOMERSET VIKINGS.

North Midlands

ROTHERHAM GIANTS moved to within a point of the leaders after a 40-18 home win over PARKSIDE HAWKS.

SCUNTHORPE BARBARIANS stay top but were made to fight by bottom club NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS A before emerging victorious 38-22.

North East
PETERLEE PUMAS stay in touch at the top after a 64-4 success over SUNDERLAND NISSAN in sweltering heat.

Peterlee put the first points on the board via 16 year old winger James Daniels who scored out wide but the acute angle proved too difficult for Paul Flynn to convert.

Sunderland then kicked the ball out dead from the kick off and Daniels capitalised again after running in a try 40 metres out. Sunderland scored their only points next after Simon Chambers touched down for an unconverted effort. Another 16 year old, Zac McCluskey crossed next after great ball movement from left to right and Daniels completed his hat trick after a 40 metre dash.

A lucky kick bounced into the hands of Leigh Wheatley who offloaded to Flynn for the next score before Daniels sent in Clarke to make it 30-4 at the break.

The second half began much like the first, Daniels scoring again and prop Jim Dickinson gave the Pumas excellent field position from which, two plays later, McCluskey went in. The Watson brother's combined for the next try, Luke provided a great offload for older sibling Mark to cross from 20 metres out.

Youngster Dan Alvey scored out in the corner after Richard Foster offloaded to him and another great kick from Flynn on the last play of the set found Clarke who tipped it back for Wheatley to score.

Peterlee found themselves pressured on their try line but Richard Foster intercepted a pass and offloaded to Stu Houghton who ran 60 metres and a quick play of the ball Foster go in. The final try came from hard hitting Rob Passmoor who barged over after powerful runs from Andy Palmer and Dickinson.

JARROW VIKINGS stay top by four points but there was encouragement for WHITLEY BAY BARBARIANS despite the final 76-12 score line.

Until this clash, Barbarians had not scored a try against the Vikings and this was the lowest margin between the sides.

The visitors started impressively, though, with three tries in ten minutes from Phillip Wall and left-sided pairing Ian Arkley and David Herbert. Debutant Ben Reid hit back for the Bay with a terrific break from half way to dive over wide out and Anthony Miller, captain for the day against his old club, kicked a spectacular goal.

Jarrow then dominated the remainder of the half, maintaining their more than a point-a-minute spree. Hooker Wall posted a second as did Herbert, Gareth Short and Barry Walker went in and Todd Riley grabbed a two minute brace.

Michael Heap and Anthony Veitch extended the Jarrow lead straight after the re-start but another Whitley Bay debutant, James Goodwin used his considerable pace to go 80 metres for a spectacular score. Gary Bates, Paul Haggan and Mark Stockman completed the scoring for the Vikings.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS won 48-22 at home to WINLATON WARRIORS.