Birkenshaw produced a stunning fightback to take the spoils 36-24 after extra-time of their first-round GMB Union National Cup tie at Eastmoor Dragons.

Conference Two side Eastmoor opened the scoring with an unconverted try after two minutes but full back Morton Robinson hit back for Birkenshaw after being released by centre Johnny Turpin. Matt Gowland added the extras.

The Dragons regained the lead with a converted try from half back Stuart Turton but Birky centre Mark Holden maintained the status quo when he powered over the whitewash.

Two further tries and a conversion from Eastmoor saw the home side end the half 20-10 up.

Birkenshaw coach Richard Hesletine pointed out the error of their ways in no uncertain terms during the interval and they stuck firmly to their guns in the second period against a rampant Dragons outfit that used their huge pitch to full advantage.

With just 15 minutes left it looked as if the hosts were in the hat for round two, leading 24-10.

Substitute James Ignaciuk certainly knows his way to the line and the Birky wingman took his chance in fine style to give the visitors hope when Robinson put him clear.

Australian second row forward Ash Dowie caught the Dragons on the hop when he took a quick tap penalty to power over, leaving Gowland an easy two, and with only seconds on the clock stand off Simon Armitage raced over to level the scores.

It was too far out for Gowland to convert, ensuring extra time had to be played.

Birky won the toss and elected to use the downhill slope in the first period.

The impressive Dowie was soon over for his second try of the match and scrum half Andy Hirst scampered in from an Owen Buckley break. Both tries were converted by Gowland to put Birky into a commanding 36-24 lead which made the second period of extra-time a formality.

Silsden's match with Normanton survived the arctic weather, but they were left wishing it hadn't.

Player-coach Jon Gwilliam said after their 58-8 defeat: "We could only get 14 players and had a real scratch team out but it was the first round of the National Cup and we were determined to honour the fixture. We were outplayed by a much bigger and more physical Normanton side."

The game itself was as ill-disciplined as it was one-sided.

Silsden had Mark Adams sin-binned in the first half and Gwilliam sent off after the break, while Normanton suffered three yellow cards and one dismissal.

The only bright spot for Silsden was a superb solo try by Andy Bowness.

He dummied his way over the line in

the 26th minute before adding the conversion.

All Silsden could muster in the second half was a solitary Bowness penalty and the final whistle couldn't come soon enough for the home side.