Scoring chances were thin on the ground with defences well on top in the second-round TXU Energi Challenge Cup tie, which West Bowling eventually won 14-0 at Birkenshaw.

A dark and dismal, rain-lashed East Bierley set the scene for a tremendous arm wrestle between two excellent packs who traded bone-crunching tackles straight from the off.

Bowling had the lion's share of possession but Birky denied them as they repelled all their attacking efforts in the opening quarter.

Something had to give and a high kick to the corner by scrum half Scott Pendlebury saw wingman Steve Illingworth outjump the cover for a worthy opener.

Centre Mark Dunning produced a superb tackle to put home full back Morton Robinson into touch early in the second half and the burly Dunning made no mistake when he took a crash ball to power in at the posts. Stand off Peter Simpson added the easy conversion.

Birkenshaw second row forward Paul Bancroft gave centre Dave Turpin the chance to put wingman Mark Holden clear but the ball went to ground and loose forward Richard Cousins' quick tap penalty nearly brought reward as they pushed hard for a score that would put them back in contention.

With two minutes to go, Dunning again proved his class when he scooped up a loose ball to run 30 metres to the corner.

Bradford Dudley Hill crashed out of the competition with a lacklustre performance against a Cottingham Tigers side that showed greater commitment and more desire to win.

In ideal conditions, Tigers took the tie 17-4.

But it was Hill who took the game to Cottingham early on with some enterprising rugby. It was to no avail as they failed to turn pressure into points. After 20 minutes, against the run of play, Cottingham took the lead with a well-worked try from second row Paul Musgrove, who scored by the posts.

Centre Alex Benson added the extras to put the Tigers 6-0 up. Hill continued to press but were unable to break a resolute defence and the scoreboard was no longer troubled in the first half.

Hill's problems were compounded after the interval with a knock-on in their own 22 from a scrum.

The ball was worked wide, than back inside for substitute Jimmy Mazerk to score to leave Benson an easy conversion.

Hill never gave up and with strong running from Richard Bingley and Sean Dickinson, they battled back.

But it wasn't to be their day as the Tigers scored again after 55 minutes to leave Hill dead and buried.

Sean Dickinson scored a consolation try in the dying minutes but on the day, Hill were second best.