A COUPLE of minutes of madness early in the final quarter cost relegation threatened Hoylake dear in their latest outing in South Lancashire/Cheshire One League.

A crucial game they could easily have won against high flying Northwich at Melrose Avenue eventually went the way of the East Cheshire outfit 20-18 and a single bonus point was scant reward for a spirited and determined display.

Hoylake had an early boost with a second minute penalty by Ben Sparks. They also managed a 16th minute Liam Rushworth try after an excellent counter move but three unconverted touch downs gave Northwich the interval lead at 15-8.

The home side closed to within two points as Jake Woods was driven over from a line-out on 51 minutes. Eight minutes later with Northwich down to 13 players through two yellow cards Hoylake took full advantage with a Matt O’Hanlon try as the forwards this time pushed over from a scrum.

But then Hoylake temporarily lost their composure and picked up a couple of yellow cards themselves. This time it was Northwich who capitalised with their fourth bonus point-winning touch down.

Hoylake simply could not nick one score in the last 10 minutes plus a dozen minutes of added time which would have tipped the balance and made such a difference to their fight for survival.

Defeat number 15 leaves them second bottom and six points behind Manchester Medics who are the club immediately above them.

Anselmians in the same league saw off visiting Altrincham Kersal 43-14.

Caldy put on a great show to win the National Two North Cheshire derby at Stockport 59-24. The result sends Stockport down.

Ben Eaves, Harrison Crowe, Ben Jones, Matt Lowes, John Broxson, Andy Sutar, Jack Collister and Jon Cross were the Caldy try scorers with Gavin Roberts kicking the remainder of the points.

Bottom-of-the-table Stockport never threw in the towel but were ultimately outclassed by the Paton Field outfit who are now up to third place which is their highest ever ranking.

Wirral in National Three North had no problems at home to lowly Westoe and finished 63-19 to the good.

North One West leaders Birkenhead Park enjoyed an 11 try bonanza against Wilmslow at the Upper Park. Eight conversions by Dave Hall led to a 71-12 victory.

Dave Ibbotson, Danny Rich and Lawrence Thomes each crossed twice, while Rob Doolan, Sam Chidley, Jack Lavin and Ollie Mabbutt all went over once before a popular last score of the day by director of rugby Martin O’Keefe who went on as a replacement in the closing stages.

New Brighton boosted hopes of survival in the division as they came away 37-31 to the good from Warrington. They remain one place off the bottom but are now only two points adrift of Eccles and Bolton.

The Blues were just behind at the break but hit back convincingly and thoroughly deserved he win.

Conor Davidson, Jack Charlesworth, Adam Pitt and Joe Silcock breached the home defence and Silcock kept the board ticking with all four conversion and three penalties.

In South Lancashire/Cheshire Two Port Sunlight just got the better of Marple 18-15 but Prenton were on the wrong side of a 50-19 score at Tyldesley.

In Division Three Oxton Parkonians took a tense game against Isle of Man visitors Ramsey 37-35. It was easier for Wallasey who were 72-0 winners at Helsby and Ellesmere Port who despatched Knutsford 40-3.

Many clubs have a free weekend ahead. Caldy are among the exceptions as they face an appetising home clash against Ampthill who are in a terrific tussle with Hull Ionians for the National Two North League title.

Three points separate them and this could easily be a banana skin for the ambitious Bedfordshire outfit.

The next full league programme is set for March 21 as the season moves into a crucial stage.