HINDPOOL Tigers were on the wrong end of a 56-14 scoreline, as Rochdale Mayfield A took another step towards the North West Men's League Premier Division.

The Tigers were 16-0 in arrears on the half-hour-mark, but came back with two unconverted tries on half-time to lift their spirits.

However, the floodgates opened in the second half as the Rochdale side took full control and ran out as easy winners.

Mayfield took the game to their hosts, with an early raid seeing dangerous hooker Rob Kershaw heading for the line, but Connor McDermott was on hand with a try-saving tackle.

At the other end, the Tigers threatened when, following a tap penalty, Stu Travis made in-roads to the posts, only to be held short by four defenders.

On nine minutes, the scoreboard was ticking as swift play and keeping the ball alive enabled Jackson Kelly to score for the visitors, with Zac Hartley adding the goal for 6-0.

Hindpool came back strongly, but a stab through the cover by Nathan Sneesby was gathered by Hartley.

Mayfield once more threatened when Hartley broke in midfield, sending Kershaw into space, but McDermott was there once more with another try-saving tackle.

There was no stopping Kershaw from nipping in from a play the ball soon after though, with Hartley adding the goal and increasing the margin to 12-0.

McDermott was in the action minutes later when he took a high kick from Hartley, covering 45 yards before being hauled down after losing his footing.

Keeping the ball alive paid off for the visitors when winger Lewis went in at the corner to make it 16-0.

The Tigers opened their account on 32 minutes when Travis made a strong run and Paul Rickelton was on hand to touch down.

As the half came to a close, a cross-field move saw Grant Burns part to Sneesby, who cut inside to score, making it 16-8 and giving the hosts a glimmer of hope.

Four minutes into the second half, James McDonald darted in from close-range, with Hartley tagging on the goal for a 14-point advantage for Mayfield.

From the restart, prop Jack Rushton tore downfield for full-back Corey Newsham to cross the whitewash as well, Hartley adding the goal for 28-8.

Kershaw soon followed, with Hartley adding the extra two points.

Rushton was next on the scoresheet for Rochdale on 54 minutes, before Mike Kummer went in at the corner for the hosts for an effort converted by Shaun Coleman, cutting the gap to 40-14.

Kummer was denied a second as he was held up by three defenders, and then followed a bizarre try for the visiting side.

A deep kick was fielded over his own line by Coleman, who brought the ball back into play but was tackled. However. a quick play the ball with no team-mates in sight allowed stand-off Marsland to nip around him and score.

Late tries from Marsland and Harley, both converted by the latter, sealed victory for a team who seem certain to win the North West Men's Division One title.

Millom kept the pressure on the top sides in National Conference League Division Three with a 32-14 win over Waterhead at Devonshire Road.

Player/coach Tom Sibley led from the front, claiming a hat-trick of tries, with Ross Brookes and Jonathan Hodgson also touching down.

Lee Postlethwaite added three goals for the Woolybacks, who lead 18-4 at the break.

There was no joy for Askam in their quest to keep in touch for a play-off place in National Conference Division Two, as they lost 56-6 at Hull Dockers. Russ Bolton crossed for a try, with Kris Tyson adding the goal.