Wath Brow moved second in the National Conference Premier Division with a 22-8 win at west Cumbrian rivals Egremont Rangers.

For while the Hornets were overcoming a gutsy home challenge, champions Leigh Miners Rangers were going down 32-18 at West Hull.

It means Wath Brow are three points behind the leaders Siddal with a game in hand, but now also a point ahead of Leigh Miners and also having played a game fewer.

Ian Rooney’s men certainly had to work hard for this success and Egremont will point to two crucial sin-binnings of the Bewsher brothers – Peter and Matty – as a major factor in their defeat.

Egremont had led 8-6 at half-time but when Matty Bewsher was yellow carded on 51 minutes for persistent offending the game swung Wath Brow’s way.

Peter Bewsher had been sent to the bin just before half-time and they managed to hold onto their advantage during his absence. But a second yellow card, so soon afterwards, took its toll.

Wath Brow had started well with a try on two minutes from winger Conor Molyneux, and full-back Cole Walker-Taylor added the extras.

It might have been a major problem for Egremont after that sort of start, given their position in the League, but they showed a lot of spirit to come back and lead by the break without conceding another point.

Hooker Dan Telford got over on 12 minutes with Matty Bewsher converting and then midway through the half the goal-kicker was successful again with a penalty.

The tide turned after the second yellow card, as on the hour second row forward Callum Farrer burst over for a try, converted by Walker-Taylor.

Although Egremont were back to full-strength when Matthew Huby scored Wath Brow’s third try, the damage had been done.

Walker-Taylor converted and in the closing stages punished Egremont even more for their lack of discipline by kicking two penalties.

Kells have lost their way recently and slipped-up again when they went down 21-18 at Wigan St. Patrick’s.

It was a game of fluctuating fortunes, settled six minutes from time by a try from the home side’s man of the match Liam Gannon, a hard-working second row forward.

Kells had started confidently enough, going ahead on five minutes with a try from winger Reece O’Neill which Tyrone Dalton converted.

But then it all seemed to be going pear-shaped for the Cumbrians as their hosts scored three tries inside a 17 minute spell.

Afeez Oderinde, Dean Hatton and James Bristoe scored for St. Pat’s with full-back Dan Birkett converting two.

But inspired by stand-off Ross Gainford Kells came back and had closed the gap to 16-12 at the break with a try from Ross Ainley, converted by Dalton.

O’Neill’s second try after the turn-around put Kells level before a Birkett drop goal edged the home side in front again.

Ten minutes from time Kells got themselves in front with a Dalton penalty but that late try from Gannon won it for St. Pat’s who leap-frogged their visitors as a result.