HARROGATE'S hopes of National League Two survival are still alive after a plucky 35-30 win at Stourbridge which brought them the full five points.

It was ex-Leeds Tyke Steve Parsons who did much to ensure the success with another two tries to make it five in the two games since his recovery from a long-standing hamstring injury.

Parsons opened the scoring after just five minutes as Harrogate took the game to the home side. Stand-off Lee Cholewa converted and then tacked on a penalty before hooker Mark Erven scampered over to open up a 15-0 lead.

Cholewa and opposite number Duncan Hughes exchanged penalties before Parsons got in on the act again to give his side a 23-3 half-time lead.

Although Hughes quickly pegged another three points back, wing James Tapster scooted in for his 12th try of the season but Harrogate's travelling support were mindful of how Stourbridge came back from 36-3 down with less than 20 minutes to go at Claro Road to win 39-36. And when scrum-half Toby Handley touched down, the nagging worries began, only to be dispelled when Cholewa broke away to score under the posts to give himself an easy conversion.

With eight minutes left Handley went over again and when replacement Ben Harvey scored soon after for Hughes to convert, Harrogate were forced to get their heads down and play out time.

Selby's home friendly against Market Rasen was called off by the visitors.

National League

Div 1: Plymouth Albion 23, Bristol 38.

Div 2: Doncaster 33, Newbury 29; Launceston 23, Blackheath 29; Manchester 22, Wharfedale 22; Rosslyn Park 11, Esher 27; Stourbridge 30, Harrogate 35; Waterloo 66, Bracknell 26.

Div 3 North: Bedford Athletic 10, Bradford & Bingley 38; Blaydon 7, Darlington 27; Darlington Mowden Park 18, Tynedale 11; Fylde 58, Cleckheaton 22; Kendal 10, Macclesfield 19; New Brighton 20, Halifax 20; Rugby 20, Dudley Kingswinford 20.

Updated: 10:07 Monday, March 21, 2005