EGREMONT Rangers have strengthened their hold on second place in the National Conference Premier Division.

In one of only three games played at the weekend Egremont comfortably saw off the challenge of bottom side Myton Warriors at Gillfoot as they finished winners by 50-24.

Leaders Hunslet Club Parkside maintained their 100 per cent record, but only just as they beat Normanton Knights 14-12 to stay four points clear of Egremont.

It sets up nicely Saturday’s match in west Cumbria when Egremont host Hunslet Club Parkside.

Grand Final winners Thatto Heath Crusaders moved fourth, four points behind the Cumbrians, with a 24-8 win at struggling Wigan St. Patrick’s.

Egremont couldn’t have wished for a better start as their visitors were caught cold, still on the bus, by a blistering opening 15 minutes in which Rangers scored 22 points.

Man of the match second row forward Kieran Glenn and winger Fraser McNee had both scored inside three minutes

Glenn struck again with his second try on 12 minutes and the quarter-of-an-hour blitz was completed by second row forward Mitchell Edwards. Matty Bewsher had converted three of the tries.

Myton rallied and their best player, scrum-half Kris Walker, got them ticking as Nathan Slater went over for a try which was improved by Ashley James.

Hooker Matt Henson scored Egremont’s fifth try, again converted by Bewsher before the half ended 28-10 with a second Myton try from James.

Egremont also made a flying start to the second half and by the 55th minute had scored two more tries. Henson crossed twice more to complete his hat-trick and in between full-back Jack Stainton made the Myton line. Bewsher converted two.

Although Myton came back with a try from Lee James, Egremont hit the half century with a try from McNee which Bewsher converted.

Credit to Myton, who were game to the end, and they scored further tries through Liam Ward and Cameron Routledge, one of them converted by Ash James.