CALDY kept up the chase after National Two North leaders Loughborough Students with a hard-earned victory over Hull Ionians at Paton Field.

It finished 34-23 after a ding-dong tussle finally put beyond doubt with a late try by man of the match Craig Smithson.

Andy Soutar, Paul Arnold and Jake Lyons were others to cross for the home side who also managed four conversions and a brace of penalties mostly via Richard Vasey.

The visitors gained two converted tries and a trio of penalties.

Birkenhead Park also worked hard for a 16-8 win over visiting Penrith in National Three North. The Cumbrians provided strong opposition but Park wore them down in the second period.

David Blythe and Gavin Scott scored tries for Park and Dave Hall managed a brace of penalties.

Dave Ibbotson did well up front for Park and Chris Pugh showed up well at scrum-half when going on during the second period.

New Brighton without their Tongan contingent still managed an excellent win at lowly Aspatria in North One West. It finished 29-16.

The Blues often dominated in the heavy conditions and gained three tries via Keith Mahon, Vin Dutton and Luke Thompson. Stephen Dean hit one conversion and four penalties.

Aspatria actually led 9-8 at the break but were a definite second best on the day although making the score more respectable with a late try and conversion.

Thompson was excellent on the wing for the winners and Phil Gazzola, Mahon and newcomer Muhammed Mustafa took the eye up front.

Wirral enjoyed a nine try romp in a 57-0 success over visiting Glossop in South Lancashire/Cheshire One League.

Alistair Baker led the way with four of the touch downs. Others came via Stu Hughes (2), Phil Donaldson, Sam Broadbent and Dan Harvey who converted six times.

Hoylake accounted for Dukinfield 32-14. Steve Young, Ben Flint, Tom Selby and Gary Hulmston crossed and Young kicked the remainder of the points.

Anselmians disappointed at Widnes as they lost 10-26. Matt Allan touched down and Simon Mason hit the conversion and a penalty.

Wallasey lost the Division Two cross river derby at home to Sefton 14-25. Martin Sutton and Stu Gilroygained tries and Matt Climo both goals.

Oldershaw's home clash with Marple was the victim of a waterlogged pitch.

A weakened Port Sunlight was crushed 5-96 at local rivals Parkonians in Division Three. Parkonians ran in fourteen tries – three of them from Barry Owens with a brace each for Terry Williams, Craig Whelan, Danny Blythe and newcomer Tom Sutton.

Others to get in on the act were Mike Marnick, Liam Evans and Mark Hillan with Williams striking all but one of the conversions.

Prenton finished 34-6 to the good at Helsby. Steve Lear and Mark Astbury crossed twice each. Les Bone and Mike Salisbury also breached the home rearguard and Steve Evans goaled twice.

Caldy go to Kendal this Saturday. Birkenhead Park visit Rochdale and Nw Brighton have bottom of the table Blackburn as visitors.

Other league matches include Anselmians v Sale, Hoylake at ormskirk, Wirral at Vagabonds, Oldershaw at Southport, Wallasey at Trentham, Prenton v Linley and Parkonians at Ramsey.