Leeds Carnegie strengthened their grip at the top of National League One with a 66-10 victory over Otley on Boxing Day.

The unbeaten visitors trailed early in the game but eventually ran in ten tries against their Yorkshire rivals with Tom Biggs, Rob Vickerman and James Brooks all scoring twice. Andy Boyde, Scott Armstrong, Scott Barrow and Kearnan Myall also touched down with Brooks adding eight conversions. Otley's only try came from Howard Parr and Tom Rhodes finished with a conversion and a penalty.

Exeter maintained the pressure on their title rivals with a 38-7 win against Cornish Pirates at Sandy Park on Saturday. The hosts were held to one try in the first half but raised their game after the break and added five further scores to clinch the bonus point. Sean Marsden led the way with two tries with Josh Drauniniu, Paul McKenzie, Matt Jess and Tom Bedford also getting on the scoresheet. Rhodri McAtee notched the Pirates' second half try with Rhys Jones adding the extras.

At the other end of the table, Manchester were unable to build upon their first success of the season last weekend as they went down 31-5 at home to Plymouth Albion. Ross Allan, Matt Hopper, Mike Denbee and Geoff Griffiths ensured the bonus point for the visitors and Kierran Hallett added four conversions and a penalty.

Bedford Blues maintained their recent run of good form with a 34-0 bonus point victory over strugglers Newbury which was their fifth win in a row. Ollie Dodge, Billy Twelvetrees, Karl Dickson, Dan Richmond, Brett Daynes and Rory McKay all crossed for tries however but they were made to work for the win with the last four tries coming in the latter stages of the second half.

London Welsh also shut out their opponents with a thumping 60-0 victory over Sedgley Park. The Dragons got back to winning ways after four successive defeats in emphatic style with nine tries at Old Deer Park. Aaron Liffchak, Peter Murchie, Paul Sampson, Aled Thomas, Mark Harris, Tom Rock, Michael Tagicakibau and Tom Brown all scored tries with the other a penalty try.

In the weekend's other games Doncaster edged out Rotherham 29-26 while Coventry proved too strong for Moseley in a 27-10 victory. Nottingham entertain Esher on Sunday night.