Rugby Union: Sheffield RUFC continue push for promotion with victory over Nuneaton

After six games, the city club are now leading National Three Midlands by just one point from Derby, who have also won five but failed to pick up a try bonus.

Sheffield ran in seven tries to four in an action-packed encounter at Abbeydale, including two in quick succession by prop Tobi Amemakin and two more from centre Ben Shore as the hosts took the game to Nuneaton to turn round 46-14 clear,

No 8 Jonny France, flanker Tom Womack and second row Ryan Seabright were Sheffield’s other scorers, while Steve Depledge converted six out of seven as well as landing a hat-trick of penalties.

Sheffield volunteered to switch to the Midlands, to be ‘level transferred’ from National Three North, because they felt it would make an easier promotion route to National Two North, which includes the top teams at that level from both the North and Midlands.

The winners of National Three Midlands and National Three North will both earn automatic promotion to National Two North, where Sheffield Tigers are feeling the pressure after suffering a 47-27 defeat in their latest match against Sale at Dore Moor.

Tigers were beaten 27-47 at home to Sale in National Two North, thanks to a second half rally from the visitors.

The Tigers led at the break 24-22 against the leaders after first half tries from Pete Swatkins and Henri Packard.

Tom Outram kicked nine points in the match but Sale put on a strong second half display to move to the top of the table.

Sheffield continued to battle but could not go over again to gain a bonus point that their first half efforts merited.

It was a notable day for two Sale players, as Liam McGovern registered his 1000th point for the club, whilst Jack Moorhouse score his 100th try.

* In North One East, meanwhile, Dinnington moved up from 12th to eighth position with an impressive 39-24 home win over Driffield.

Fly-half Jonny West starred in the first half, scoring all 20 points with two converted tries, a penalty and a drop goal, to give the hosts a 20-10 lead.

Flanker Mike Leitch, full back Matthew Shaw and winger Tom Doughty all went over in the second half to give the hosts victory.

Ben Dinsdale, Sam Furbank and Ali McLaren scored for the visitors, but it was not enough to stop Dinnington winning their first game at home this season.

* Wath on Dearne had a walkover in Yorkshire Two when their Bradford rivals Old Grovians were unable to raise a team, but neighbours Barnsley went down 14-3 in a dour match against Leodiensians at Leeds.

* Also in Yorkshire Two, Sheffield Medicals – still without a win - were defeated 54-26 in their match at Ripon but had the consolation of a four-try bonus point.

Barnsley went down to a 14-3 defeat at Leodiensian in Yorkshire Two.

The hosts took claimed their first home victory of the season thanks to two tries from drives from the line out, either side of a Callum Emery penalty for Barnsley.

* Stocksbridge were edged out 9-6 on penalty goals in their Yorkshire Three match against league leaders Baildon at Bolsterstone.

Rotherham Phoenix scored five tries to four but were held to a 33-33 draw in their home match against Hemsworth in Yorkshire Four, while in the same league Rotherham Clifton triumphed 39-19 at Hornsea as the teams shared ten tries.

And in Yorkshire Five Sheffield Oaks lost out 25-14 at home against Garforth, while Mosborough were beaten 27-12 at Wibsey.