THERE was agony for Caldy as they suffered only their second reverse of the season in National Two North League by a single point at Otley in their latest outing.

It finished 34-33 to the Yorkshire outfit at Cross Green, but Caldy stay third in the table behind Sedgley Park and Macclesfield and two points in front of last Saturday's opponents.

Wirral, with a weakened line-up, suffered their third defeat in National Three North at Billingham in a 28-15 scoreline but remain third in the table only four points adrift of the top two.

The home side built up a 28-3 interval lead with wind advantage. The only Wirral score was a Dan Harvey penalty.

But they really made a game of it in the second period and were rewarded with unanswered tries via Keith Mahon and Tom Parry plus a Harvey conversion.

A tortuous journey home after coach problems summed up a disappointing day for the Clatterbridge outfit.

There was also no joy for Birkenhead Park at Hull where a controversial and many believed unwarranted yellow card for Park hooker Stu Brown had a major bearing on the outcome.

Hull took full advantage to score three tries when Park were reduced in numbers plus two conversions which made up the difference at the end.

Dave Hall landed a first-half penalty for Birkenhead and produced a fine run for a Jack Ashcroft try after the break.

Hull went clear amidst the controversy but Park had the last say as Matt Walls touched down following another tap penalty move.

There were losing bonus points in South Lancashire/Cheshire One for Anselmians and New Brighton.

The Eastham outfit missed out 20-27 against Bowdon at Malone Field.

New Brighton were edged out 19-21 at West Park who are now in pole position in the division after the very last kick earned them victory to break the hearts of the Blues.

Man of the Match Joe Silcock scored all the Brighton points with a try, a conversion and four penalties.

Luckless Hoylake met with further disappointment in a 6-22 defeat at Winnington Park. They badly need a morale boosting first win.

Prenton fealt the might of Southport in Merseyside West with just a consolation converted try to show in a 7-150 one sided affair.

It was also tough for Wallasey who went under 31-74 at home to the other promotion favourites Ruskin Park.

Port Sunlight came away 27-19 to the good from winless St Edwards but Oxton Parkonians were on the wrong side of a 39-23 outcome at Birchfield where skipper Terry Williams, newcomer James McGrath, Geoff Waters and Paul Hillan scored tries with one goal from Andy Smith.

Ellesmere Port were well satisfied with a 20-18 success over visiting Newton Le Willows.

There is no league rugby this coming weekend but several local clubs are due in action in County competitions unless arrangements have changed due to the World Cup final.

Birkenhead Park and New Brighton will clash in the Cheshire Vase semi-final and the tie will take place under the Upper Park floodlights on Friday evening 7.30pm.

Caldy are drawn at home to National Two North league opponents Chester in the semi final of the Cheshire Cup.

The Cheshire Bowl semi-finals on Saturday include Hoylake v Port Sunlight.

In the Plate Ellesmere Port are due at Helsby whilst Oxton Parkonians and Oldershaw clash at Holm Lane with a 1pm kick-off.