Runaway leaders Sheffield Tigers slip up in title race

But the Dore Moor side had to settle for a losing bonus when they were pipped 10-9 at second placed Wirral.

It was Tigers’ first league defeat since losing 28-24 at Firwood Waterloo in October, and the first time in 16 league matches this season that they have failed to score a try.

Tigers, who beat Wirral 16-10 at Dore Moor in September, dominated the scrums but Wirral defended well and snatched the verdict with a penalty at the death.

Fly-half Mark Ireland landed a hat-trick of penalties for the visitors.

Sheffield were out of action for a second consecutive week, their match against tailenders Burnage at Abbeydale Park pitch was postponed .

Dinnington’s home game with leaders Doncaster Phoenix in North One East, was also off.

Wath on Dearne picked up a a bonus winning 27-8 victory over Roundhegians in Yorkshire Two at Moor Road. Wath took an early lead with a penalty by ordan Fleming, who also converted the opening try by Adam West.

Fleming himself touched down for the first two tries of the second half, converting one, and Wath sealed their win when Luke Pendlebury, who had come off the bench to play at full-back in a reshuffled back division, scored with ten minutes to go.

Full-back Chris Peel went over for a last minute try but couldn’t prevent Barnsley from slipping to a 22-14 home defeat to Keighley in Yorkshire Two.

Marlon Wragg had scored early for Barnsley to level the scores after the hosts nicked an early try, but the late score from Peel wasn’t enough to salvage the game despite two conversions from centre Gregg Colbridge.

Stocksbridge were beaten 29-13 in Yorkshire Three at Thornensians. Fly-half Scott Bowskill converted an early try by open side flanker Tom Spencer for Stocksbridge and landed a penalty in either half.