Promotion places in men's Divisions 4 and 5 were up for grabs as both competitions reached their finales this weekend. To add to the tension, the divisions competed at split venues - Haberdashers School and Walsall.
At Walsall, Manchester Hawks maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of men's 4 with a 16-10 defeat of Tyldesley, including four goals by Jack Wilczynski-Wilkins. Then Rotherham improved their prospects of a top five place - and a move up to Championship 3 - by beating York City 12-5.
Meanwhile, down at Haberdashers, Cheltenham Spartans held a useful lead for much of their clash with Hucknall until the final quarter, when Hucknall hit back from 10-6 down to trail 11-10. The game went to 12-11 to Spartans with just over a minute remaining. But Hucknall couldn't convert a man-up chance 17 seconds from the end.
In Division 5, Ashley Keen scored nine for Warwick against Coventry - and still ended on the losing side, 18-14. Sheffield Dolphins took over leadership of the division, beating Leeds 14-7. Nearest rivals Watford Saxons could only draw 7-7 with Caledonia Storm. The Scots were 7-5 down at the start of the final period but grabbed a point thanks to goals by Harry Gray and Ben Parsons.
Day one in Championship 4 ended with Manchester Hawks - 17-7 winners against York, including six goals from Lewis Daly - Cheltenham Spartans, Hucknall and Otter all guaranteed Championship 3 places in the second half of the season and with the three Championship 4 spots to be contested in the final matches.
In Division 5, there's still much to play for. Only one team, Chelmsford, already know they will finish among the bottom three - which means dropping out in the second phase of the season and qualifying for next year through the play-off system involving new applicants.
At Walsall, Manchester Hawks maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of men's 4 with a 16-10 defeat of Tyldesley, including four goals by Jack Wilczynski-Wilkins. Then Rotherham improved their prospects of a top five place - and a move up to Championship 3 - by beating York City 12-5.
Meanwhile, down at Haberdashers, Cheltenham Spartans held a useful lead for much of their clash with Hucknall until the final quarter, when Hucknall hit back from 10-6 down to trail 11-10. The game went to 12-11 to Spartans with just over a minute remaining. But Hucknall couldn't convert a man-up chance 17 seconds from the end.
In Division 5, Ashley Keen scored nine for Warwick against Coventry - and still ended on the losing side, 18-14. Sheffield Dolphins took over leadership of the division, beating Leeds 14-7. Nearest rivals Watford Saxons could only draw 7-7 with Caledonia Storm. The Scots were 7-5 down at the start of the final period but grabbed a point thanks to goals by Harry Gray and Ben Parsons.
Day one in Championship 4 ended with Manchester Hawks - 17-7 winners against York, including six goals from Lewis Daly - Cheltenham Spartans, Hucknall and Otter all guaranteed Championship 3 places in the second half of the season and with the three Championship 4 spots to be contested in the final matches.
In Division 5, there's still much to play for. Only one team, Chelmsford, already know they will finish among the bottom three - which means dropping out in the second phase of the season and qualifying for next year through the play-off system involving new applicants.
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