Pats Win Vital 4-Pointer
15 March 2011
Wigan Saint Patricks won a vital bottom-of-the-table relegation battle to help their chances of staying in the National Conference Premier League on Saturday, beating fellow strugglers York Acorn 12-48.
The win lifts Pats 3 points clear of Acorn, who are a point better off than bottom-placed Wigan St.Judes. With 3 teams being relegated their 12-48 win - including 9 tries, and a hat-trick and 6 goals for full-back Dan Birkett - gave them a great chance of securing their Premier League status.
With the National Cup fixtures taking precedence, there were only 2 other NCL Premier League games. Wath Brow inflicting a 28-16 vicory over title-chasing Leigh Miners. Hornets are now only 2 points behind Miners, who are in third place. The other match saw Skirlaugh boost their play-off hopes with a 14-28 victory over bottom club St.Judes. The Wigan outfit are going to need a good haul of point sfrom their last 5 games to avoid the drop this season.
In the National Cup, holders Queens thrashed Dewsbury Moor 58-6 to march into the Quarter-Finals, whilst West Hull beat NCL Premier League leaders Thatto Heath 16-17. East Hull and Hull Dockers both lost to non-NCL teams - Easts 34-4 away at Drighlington, and Dockers 22-25 at home to Sharlston Rovers.