Orrell's day to forget

Orrell's misery deepened yesterday as they plunged to their seventh successive Courage League One defeat of the season, 37-11 away to North- west rivals Sale. Despite a plucky first-half effort, during which they confined their hosts to a 13-6 interval lead, Orrell conceded five tries - from Dylan O'Grady (2), Dave Erskine, Dave Baldwin and Tom Beim - and managed only one touchdown of their own, via Richard Nelson. The result means that Sale are now part of a six-club logjam in second place behind the leaders Harlequins.

Richmond are still top of League Two after a comfortable 23-7 victory at Wakefield. The visitors' three tries came from Scott Quinnell, Ben Clarke and Jim Fallon while full-back John Gregory kicked two penalties and a conversion. Wakefield replied with a try by Dave Scully which was converted by Ben Jackson.

Coventry continue to confound pre-season forecasts that the second division would be a two-horse race between Richmond and Newcastle by staying one point behind the former and moving two points clear of the latter with a 35-19 win, which featured five tries, over traditional rivals Moseley at The Reddings.

Bedford look the only League Two side with any chance of catching the leading trio following their thrilling 27-26 success at London Scottish which was achieved despite the 21 points contributed to the Exiles' total by player-coach John Steele.

Rugby claimed their third victory in five games since the 154-5 humiliation at Newcastle with a 20-12 home victory over Nottingham while fellow strugglers Waterloo surprised Blackheath 16-10 at Blundellsands.

A 40-metre drop goal a minute from time by former All Black Frano Botica gave Llanelli a 25-24 win at Dunvant in the Welsh First Division. The Scarlets, shaken by the two-year suspension imposed on Wales A lock Paul Jones for taking steroids, were outplayed for much of the game. Matthew McCarthy, who is on loan from Llanelli, kicked a penalty and two drop goals to keep Dunvant in front until Botica added his late strike to five penalties and a conversion.

The former rugby league players Stuart Evans and Mark Jones came to blows after half an hour and were sent off as leaders Swansea lost 13-9 at Ebbw Vale. There were no hard feelings between Swansea prop Evans and back- row forward Jones, who left the pitch arm in arm, but Vale had the last laugh when fly-half Byron Hayward, scorer of all his side's points, produced a late try and conversion to seal victory.

Newport staged a superb second-half recovery from 22-10 down to draw 32-32 at Bridgend. Matthew Lewis and Gareth Thomas each scored two tries for the home side while Newport replied in kind through Chris Smith (2), Martin Llewellyn and Gareth Taylor. Pontypridd scored five tries in their 46-15 victory at Treorchy - two by David Manley and one apiece from Paul John, Steele Lewis and Wales stand-off Neil Jenkins, who clocked up 26 points. Newbridge won their basement battle at home to Caerphilly 29-16.

Munster, with many key players missing due to national squad training, lost 35-25 to Western Samoa in Cork. The touring team, who meet Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday, ran in five tries through Terry Fanolua (2), Sene Ta'ala, Pailate Fili and Mark Fatialofa. But their victory was marred by the sending-off in the 53rd minute of hooker Trevor Leota for a high tackle.