HARROGATE'S eight-try 51-36 demolition of fellow strugglers Rosslyn Park in National League Two boosts their chances of avoiding the drop.

Ex-Leeds Tyke Steve Parsons, back on the right wing after his lengthy hamstring-injury lay-off, scored a hat-trick.

Full-back Ed Smithies bagged two tries and there were others for wing James Tapster, his 11th of the season, scrum-half Mark Chester and centre Matt Duncombe. Stand-off Lee Cholewa landed four conversions and a penalty.

Updated: 10:02 Monday, March 14, 2005