Irvine inspiration behind a solid Harrogate victory

Other tries came from No8 Will Enslin and centre Lewis Minikin, who also kicked three penalties and three conversions.

Sandal lost out 20-24 at home against Preston Grasshoppers, despite tries from winger Simon Frewin and flanker James Briscoe.

Elsewhere Otley scraped a 10-8 victory over South Leicester, while Huddersfield were beaten 28-35 by Sale at Lockwood Park. Flanker Pat Power scored two of Ilkley’s six tries in a 40-31 win at Birkenhead Park, where Joe Rowntree converted five out of six.

Hull were edged out 22-20 on their visit to Firwood Waterloo, but Cleckheaton triumphed 22-17 at higher-placed Stockport with No8 Richard Piper scoring two of their tries.

Bottom club Burnage scored only their third win of the campaign, 25-23, at the expense of hosts Huddersfield YMCA.

Doncaster Phoenix maintained their North One East lead but were under pressure in their home game against Percy Park, where they won 39-36 despite the visitors scoring six tries to five.

Morley kept on the pace with a 51-28 win at South Shields Westoe, while Wheatley Hills boost their bid to avoid the drop when they beat third-placed West Hartlepool 26-22.

Dinnington closed in on their fourth placed rivals with an 8-6 home win over Alnwick.

Pocklington, leading 7-0 at half time through a converted try by scrum-half Ben Rees, were edged out 8-7 at home to Morpeth.

Two tries by flanker Jesse Harris helped Driffield to a bonus-point 22-9 home win over bottom-placed neighbours Beverley.

Bradford and Bingley, the Yorkshire One leaders, scored seven tries to one in a 48-8 win at York.

Winger Nick Gore and centre Lachlan Moore bagged two each.

Second-placed Malton and Norton also managed a bonus point in a 27-15 home win over Bridlington, their tries coming from prop Ben Boothman, winger Ian Cooke, fly-half Nick Daly and centre Sam Harrison.

But Bridlington maintained third place ahead of Hullensians, who were edged out 23-22 at Old Brodleians.

Scarborough, 19-17 down at half time, saw off Old Crossleyans to score five tries in a 32-19 win at Halifax.