Just like professional neighbours Whitehaven, the amateurs of Egremont are trying to pull-off a great escape from relegation.

Egremont have been in the relegation zone of the Conference Premier Division all season but, with three games to go, have drawn level with the side fourth from bottom, Lock Lane.

As the Castleford side was losing 22-14 at Pilkington Recs, Egremont were beating York Acorn 19-6 in West Cumbria to continue their recent revival.

They have a worse points differential than Lock Lane but, on balance, look as though they can win more points than their rivals in distress, over the last three games.

Acorn, as good as down, did make a good start at Gillfoot as they scored a try through Ryan Gallacher in the second minute.

Anthony Chilton converted but that was their last contribution to the scoreboard.

By half-time, Egremont had established a 12-6 lead with tries from Rhys Davies and James McDonald, both converted by Matty Bewsher.

It was all down to Bewsher in the second-half as he helped Egremont pull clear. He grabbed a try, conversion and drop goal which was enough to earn the hosts two valuable points.

Wath Brow Hornets have now slipped to fourth after they went down 32-30 at home to Wigan St Patrick’s in a game of fluctuating fortunes.

Midway through the first-half, the Hornets trailed 10-0 but by half-time had come back to lead 18-16.

Then, with just a quarter of the game left, the home side led 30-22 and looked nailed-on for victory.

But a sin-binning for Charlie Tomlinson didn’t help and in a pulsating finish St Pat’s won it with a try, three minutes from the end.

Wath Brow had scored five tries, all converted by Cole Walker-Taylor, but the visitors scored six to squeeze-out a famous victory.

Jamie Devine, Greg Howland, Peter Caddy, Curtis Teare and Lewis Pritchard crossed for Wath Brow with Jamie Bristoe (2), And Higham, Andrew Cunningham, Liam Gannon and Phil Mitchell responding for the Wigan visitors. Joe Prior kicked four goals.

Kells lost 46-6 at leaders Siddal, only getting on the score-sheet in the second-half with a Ben Milburn try, converted by Ross Gainford.

Siddal, who are four points clear with three games to play, led 20-0 at half-time and finished with nine tries.

Chief destroyer was Gareth Blackburn whose personal haul was made-up of four tries and five goals.