Pennine League officials are certain to take action following the free-for-alls which caused two local matches to be abandoned.

West Bowling A were well in command in their game against Division One leaders Westgate Redoubt despite only leading 8-4 at Emsley's Rec.

But shortly after the interval, fighting broke out following a clash between Bowling's Shaun Fallon and Westgate's Jamie Beckett.

Referee Ian McGregor managed to calm things down but when the rumpus restarted he had no option but to bring a premature halt to the proceedings.

Westgate were penalised in the opening minute for punching in the tackle and loose forward Craig Hillam made no mistake from 30 metres out.

The visitors scored a good try with a clever kick and chase but Bowling prop Paul Hutchinson split their defence with a barnstorming run up the middle. Chris Scott carried on the move to draw the cover and put fellow centre Eddie Womersley over near the corner. Hillam slotted over the touchline conversion and Bowling looked favourites to lower the table-toppers' colours, playing down the slope with the wind and rain at their backs.

Westgate were involved in an incident in November when their game against Keighley Albion was abandoned after 65 minutes.

Thornton's Division Six home match against bottom-of-the-table St Josephs A only lasted ten minutes before referee Jason Woodman ordered both teams to take an early bath.

Once again a melee broke out and when the St Josephs substitutes' bench joined in the fray he decided he had seen enough.

The Premier Division encounter at Queensbury was also abandoned - this time for all the right reasons - when they led Underbank Rangers 34-0 with 62 minutes played.

Both sides deserved a pat on the back for even starting the match in the atrocious conditions. Tries for props Andrew Senior, Darren Wilkinson and centre Trevor Stead plus a try and three goals from stand off Paul Drake proved Bury's superiority in the opening half.

After the break, further tries came from Mark Craft and Matt Galtress with Drake adding the extras. With the weather deteriorating badly and the result beyond any doubt, the referee decided to save all concerned any further discomfort.

Victoria Rangers went within a whisker of snatching a win against Division One title contenders Thornhill Trojans in a 14-14 cracker at Eccleshill. Vics centre Tony Fretwell intercepted from half way to race in under the posts leaving prop forward Tim Hunt an easy conversion but they trailed 8-6 at the interval. Full back Russ Sigston scampered over and two Hunt penalties gave them a 14-8 lead.

But the Trojans fought back to level the scores. Vics came agonisingly close to collecting the spoils when a Jason Pounder drop goal attempt in the dying seconds just scraped under the crossbar.

Odsal Sedbergh are three points clear at the top of Division Two following their 26-6 home win over Queensbury A. The match was a mud bath from start to finish but Bury second row forward Matt Wood caused Sedbergh numerous problems with his strong running and was rewarded with their only try which was converted by Tom Middleton.

It was a bad day for all concerned at Wyke.

The first team crashed 44-4 at home to Siddal B in Division four. The early dismissal of loose forward Darren Barraclough for a clumsy tackle killed off any chance of an upset.

Substitute Andy Patchett scored their only try. Wyke A lost 28-4 at fellow Division Six strugglers Halifax Irish A. Hooker Aaron Phillips crossed in the first half.