WATH RUFC went into first place after winning 14-13 at near neighbours Dinnington in a top-of-the-table Yorkshire Division One clash on Saturday.
After nine straight wins, Wath are on the same points as Dinnington and 14 clear in the top two.
Dinnington started on top and, after being denied a try by some fine Wath tackling, went 3-0 up through a penalty on 20 minutes.
Wath came back into the game and centre Alex Pegg scored the first try, with the tricky conversion kicked by Jack Whitlam to make it 7-3.
Dinnington responded with a converted try to lead 10-7 at the interval.
Ryan Burrows set up Anthony Davies to score another Wath try with Whitlam again converting from a tough position to make it 14-10.
Wath had two players sinbinned within minutes of each other and Dinnington scored a penalty to reduce the gap to one. But the visitors held on for victory.
Meanwhile, Barnsley lost 20-19 at Hemsworth in Yorkshire Division Three.
The Shaw Laners are seventh with 32 points from 13 games, 27 points off the top two and 15 clear of the bottom two.
Chris Friel, Dan Eaden and Tom Hardwick scored tries while Kez Hyde added two conversions.
Coach Tom Kittrick said: “It was nip and tuck.
“The referee spoiled what was going to be a really good game.
“He was not good for both teams and made it very stop-start.
“Hemsworth have had a few more games after Christmas than us and it showed in last 20 minutes.
“They really put us under pressure and deserved to win in the end.
“It probably sums up where are – competing with top sides but just missing out.
“We went to West Park Leeds, who are third, and lost 20-19 then same again at Hemsworth who are fourth.
“We played really well in patches but couldn’t get over the line.
“We’re still quite pleased with where we are and move on to Saturday.”
Barnsley’s men are now due to host West Park Leeds on Saturday after Barnsley Ladies are due back in action at home to Cheltenham Tigers on Saturday in Championship One North.
Dearne Valley pulled out of their game at Burley who got a walkover win.
Dearne are last in Yorkshire Three, 17 points adrift in the bottom two.
They have lost eight in a row.
Wortley lost 17-10 at Maltby in Yorkshire Division Four.
