John Mooney: West Hull v Wigan St Patricks
Wigan St Patricks present themselves as the 'Probably the most famous amateur rugby league club in the world' but a hefty 48-0 defeat by West Hull at North Road leaves them perilously close to losing their NCL Premier Division status.
Surprisingly it took 18 minutes for the home side to get off the mark - a period of sustained pressure heralding a brilliant Danny Nicklas pass snapped up by James Goulsbra-Miller, who darted in at the corner. Scott Partis converted from the touchline and Wests began to dominate as Pats wilted in the heat. Ten minutes later Ryan Steen looked held as three defenders climbed all over him but he somehow off-loaded to Nicklas, who went over close enough for another Partis conversion.
It was now all West Hull and a Partis grubber-kick rebounded off the Pats defence for the half-back to collect and score then a fine Ian Kerman pass found the supporting Louis Crowther. With Partis converting both the Green and Golds went into the break 24-0 up and the visitors had been incapable of making any headway faced with some tough tackling.
The second-half began in the same vein, Rich Wilkinson picking up a stray loose ball for a determined score and though Wigan then had their best spell of the game the home defence was not for breaching and they pulled further away when a superbly-weighted Nicklas pass found prop Oscar Ellerington charging in under the posts for a well deserved try. Partis converted both and was again on target when Bobby Tyson-Wilson followed a Kerman break to match his fellow-prop's score and with just a couple of minute's left the ever-impressive Wilkinson produced a superb 'out the back' pass to Goulsbra-Miller, who then found Kerman to complete the try scoring with Partis converting both to maintain his 100% record.
Wests now face daunting trips to Thatto Heath and Siddal before taking on second-placed Egremont at North Road, a game that may decide who finishes runner-up to runaway leaders Hunslet Club Parkside in the top division.
Parkside were at bottom club Myton Warriors and came away with a 42-12 victory while in Division Two Hull Dockers found Stanningly much too good, suffering a 50-16 drubbing. Unbeaten Beverley, who beat Clock Face Miners at the Potting Shed on Wednesday, slammed Waterhead Warriors 44-22 on their travels but Skirlaugh, who travelled to York on Thursday to play Acorn in Division One, continued a poor run of form losing 32-22.