WOOLSTON Rovers claimed an excellent 44-24 win at Wigan St Patricks in National Conference League Division One to keep alive their play-off hopes.

Substitute Ryan Palin bagged a hat-trick of tries, while centre Ben Dixon chipped in with a brace to help Rovers maintain eighth place.

Further tries were scored by man-of-the-match hooker Adam Files, stand-off Ryan Brown and loose-forward Harry Files, while second rower Craig Lawton kicked five conversions and Dixon one.

Head coach Liam Lawton said: “We were determined to get back to winning ways after the disappointing performance last time out against Crosfields and the boys certainly put in an excellent all-round team effort to claim a big win.

“We looked really sharp with the ball and scored some excellent tries. Hopefully we can back this win up next Saturday at home to Stanningley.”

Meanwhile, Crosfields were defeated 22-16 at home by second-placed Leigh Miners Rangers.

Ben Steele, Taylor Boyne and Brad Stanway were among the scorers for a Soap side placed fifth on the ladder ahead of hosting fourth-placed Dewsbury Moor Maroons this coming Saturday.

Latchford Albion fell to a late 28-14 defeat at Halton Farnworth Hornets in the North West Men’s League.

Three tries conceded in the last 15 minutes allowed the hosts to take the spoils.

Albion’s tries were touched down by Reece Hughes, Charlie Groarke and Ben Harper.