Rugby union: Fates (and ref) against Longton

LONGTON were controversially denied two legitimate tries – and then conceded a last-gasp drop goal – en route to a 15-12 defeat at second-placed Hinckley in National Division Three Midlands.

The first disallowed try came in the first half when the visiting pack drove over the Hinckley line, only for an unsighted referee to award a five-metre scrum.

The second came late on at 12-12 when Longton insisted James Staley had dropped on the ball following another powerful drive over the home try line.

Longton's frustration was compounded shortly after when Hinckley landed a drop goal from some 35 metres to steal the game.

It is the second time this season that a fast-improving Longton have been beaten late on by a top-four outfit.

Longton had earlier gained a deserved 7-5 half-time lead after Craig Wilson bulldozed his way through several would-be tacklers to score a try converted by the excellent Grant Hallam.

And they were 12-5 ahead in the second period after Rich Kelly's superb catch and drive from a line-out left Ben Grocott grounding the ball for a deserved score.

Hinckley's talented backs stepped on the gas to level the game, before events turned cruelly against Longton in the closing stages.

Gary McDermott claimed more than half of LEEK'S points with an inspirational performance in their 58-0 demolition of Wednesbury in Midlands Three West (North).

McDermott claimed three tries, six conversions and two penalties to spearhead a one-sided victory that hauled Leek up to third and maintained their 100 per cent home record after five games at HQ.

McDermott and fellow half-back Dan Needham ran the game, while centres Andy Green and James Wilson gave their superior pack plenty of options on the offensive.

Leek's intent was obvious from the moment they won a scrum against the head in the first minute. First-half tries from Adam Nettel, Luke Granger, and McDermott (2) left them establishing an unassailable 31-0 advantage by half-time.

And it was a similar story in the second half as Granger, Jason Milner and James Wilson all crossed the line.

McDermott completed his hat-trick by sidestepping and chipping for the try line.

His conversion went awry, but the man-of-the-match champagne was already his.

NEWCASTLE failed to put one over on old coach Graham MacDonald after succumbing to his Burntwood side 9-3 in Midlands Three West (North).

Newcastle, for whom Liam Bailey was outstanding at scrum half, produced plenty of polished moves going forward, but failed to turn neat play into points.

The only exception came in the first half when Chris Jew kicked to level the game at 3-3.