Rugby league: National Conference League Division One

Last updated 15:54, Wednesday, 09 April 2008

WATH Brow Hornets may have one eye on the forthcoming ACE Insurance (Europe) Barla National Cup final towards the end of May.

But the Cleator Moor outfit simply refuse to be diverted from the season’s main task – an immediate return to the Premier Division of the National Conference League.

Hornets maintained their challenge with a 19-18 victory at another side with an outside chance, Shaw Cross Sharks, and are now only three points behind third-placed York Acorn in Division One, with two games in hand.

Perhaps more pertinently, Wath Brow are only four points shy of faltering Saddleworth, in second place, on whom they are five games to the good.

On that basis, promotion is a real possibility, and that was certainly the way stand-off Craig Johnstone viewed matters when he slammed over the winning drop goal in Dewsbury five minutes from time.

The victory, however, owed more to the resilience of the side as a whole than to the brilliance of any one individual.

Shaw Cross, whom Wath Brow have leapfrogged into fifth spot, opened strongly, forging a 12-point lead with a couple of converted tries, but Wath Brow rallied when full-back Gavin Curwen scampered over five minutes before the break.

Hornets eased in front when prop Kevin Thompson charged over five minutes after the restart, second row Mickey McAllister crossing before the hour and Johnstone adding the extras.

The lead was extended when Thompson claimed his second score, but a draw seemed likely when Shaw Cross hit back with a converted try with eight minutes left.

Johnstone, however, had other ideas, landing the drop goal that could have vital implications at the close of the campaign.

Wath Brow host Ince Rose Bridge on Saturday, 2.30pm kick-off.