Birkenshaw keep pole position in the Pennine League Premier Division title race after their 20-18 home win over Illingworth but the championship could be decided by events off the field after bottom-of-the-table Underbank Rangers failed to turn up at main rivals Elland.

The match was due to be played as a 'four-pointer' in view of Elland's backlog but common sense has won the day and the Halifax club have only been awarded two points for a no show.

Birky were their own worst enemy as they squandered numerous chances in a nervy opening.

A clash of heads between Darren Webb and Mark Holden caused a major disruption with both players forced to retire from the fray but substitute Leon Crick took the game by the scruff of the neck to score two smart tries which together with four goals from Andy Hirst brought them back from disaster to trail by just two points with only minutes to go.

Centre Johnny Turpin earned the plaudits with a cracking decider to keep Birky's hopes of winning the flagship competition on course.

The Division One promotion battle is far from over following Victoria Rangers' 32-10 win at Crigglestone All Blacks.

The Vics, who are now lurking in third spot waiting for any slip-ups, cut loose with a try from centre Sam Bentley, and stand off Mick Walker glided under the posts for the first of his brace.

Further tries came from full back Danny Dixon, loose forward Kenny Smith and second row forward Dave Newhall. Wingman Luke Sutcliffe scored four conversions for a 32-4 interval lead.

The hosts proved sterner opposition on the restart but the Vics had already done the business and coasted to the finish without difficulty.

Queensbury brought the curtain down on their Division Two home campaign with a ten-try rout over visitors Silsden Park Rangers.

Centre Rashid Mahmood paved the way with a hat-trick and solo efforts came from full back Andy Barraclough, wingmen Neil Hobson and Kristian Friebach, hooker Luke Cooper and forwards Mark Craft, Chris Cannon and Ian Thorpe.

Steven Gallagher (3) and Tom Middleton (2) shared the goals with veterans Martin Potts and Andy Thornton still firing on all four cylinders despite their advancing years.