Rugby League: No half measures for Fox

BRADFORD NORTHERN had little difficulty in staying in touch at the top of the Stones Bitter Championship, writes Richard Wetherell. A half-time lead of 36-0 against Oldham saw to that.

Three late tries gave some comfort to the visitors but Bradford ran out comfortable winners, 48-16. Deryck Fox, with two tries and eight goals, collected half his side's points. The win keeps them two points behind the leaders Warrington with two games in hand.

Ten late points gained Halifax a hard-fought 24-10 victory against Hull, who had their prop Tim Street sent off. John Bentley scored a try four minutes from time. Michael Hagen kicked the goal and added a try of his own in the last minute to ensure Halifax stay in fourth place.

Castleford struggled to overcome Sheffield Eagles and remain one place below Halifax. With Mark

Aston scoring a try and kicking two goals after Mick Cox opened the scoring the home side were 12-0 down. It took a solo effort from Andy Hay and Lee Crooks's goal to stir Castleford into life and turn around just six points adrift.

Two tries in three minutes by Mike Ford turned the match but Lee Jackson's try and David Fraisse's goal levelled the score. A fourth goal by Crooks in front of the posts saw Castleford home.

Hull KR fought back from a 10-0 deficit against Featherstone with tries from Craig O'Brien and Mike Fletcher in just three minutes. But with five minutes left Julian Barkworth hesitated behind his own line and Owen Simpson claimed the winning try for Featherstone.