CALDY returned to winning ways in National Two North League with a 31-15 success against Huddersfield at Paton Field.

Conditions were very demanding with a gusting, gale-force, cross-field wind yet both sides knuckled down well to produce an interesting and more than creditable encounter.

Caldy are now fourth in the table but 11 points short of a promotion place.

The losers dropped to second bottom.

Huddersfield arrived on the Wirral with no away wins this season and it looked ominous for them as Caldy swept into a 12-0 lead inside the first five minutes.

But then the visitors showed true Yorkshire grit and remarkably turned the score 15-12 in their favour by the 21st minute.

Caldy edged back to 17-15 at the halfway stage but it did not look good for them with the wind now slightly favouring Huddersfield.

The Caldy forwards, however, knuckled down in great style and a dangerous looking Huddersfield back division was continually denied any worthwhile possession.

Ben Elliott nipped over following a scrum in the second minute and three minutes later Nick Royle intercepted and raced more than half the length of the pitch for a second touchdown with Gavin Roberts converting.

Huddersfield responded with a grand period of play which brought them two tries, a conversion and a penalty but in the 35th minute the home forwards powered over from a line-out.

The pack struck again on 44 minutes with Nyle Davidson getting the touchdown and Roberts adding the extras.

Everyone then waited for the Huddersfield surge, but it never materialised as the Caldy eight dominated the proceedings and drove over for a clinching try on 63 minutes with Roberts again successful with the kick.

The win after a run of four defeats and a draw was more than welcome even if the score was a little harsh on a Huddersfield side seemingly capable of better results in the weeks ahead.

Birkenhead Park produced a below-par display at Cleckheaton as they lost 21-17 in National Three North.

Each side scored three tries but kicking in the end on a very blustery occasion decided the issue.

Danny Rich and Stu Brown scored first-half tries for Park.

Brown also crossed in the second period with Dave Hall converting.

A final quarter touchdown decided the match in favour of the home outfit leaving Park to be satisfied with a losing bonus point.

Wirral were involved in a thriller at home to Stockport as they came from a 23-5 deficit to win at the death by a single point 29-28.

Rob Pearl touched down for the only first-half score for Wirral but later when conditions favoured them they came good with tries via Chris Speed, Mark Williams, Pearl again and then Sam Broadbent right at the death.

The conversions by Dan Harvey from the last two proved crucial for Wirral and Stockport were left kicking themselves as they missed a relatively easy kick from their last score which if successful would have tipped the balance.