West Bowling won their Division One top-of-the-table clash against East Leeds in a pulsating end-to-end encounter at Bankfoot CC.

The game, which ended 7-6, was a splendid advert for Conference rugby, with both sides proving defence can still be an art form at this level in the amateur game.

The record crowd of more than 400 supporters saw Bowling go behind in the first minute when prop-forward Richard Greenwood was caught offside and scrum half Phil Hasty kicked an easy penalty in front of the posts.

Then the Leeds outfit increased their lead when centre Paul Hasty collected a Mark Dunning fumble from his brother's high up-and-under to cross in the corner.

Player coach Glenn Barraclough led his side down field and on the last tackle he drilled a wicked grubber kick down the line, which went through the legs of a defender, and allowed him to grab a try to close the half 4-6.

After the break man-of-the-match second-row forward Phil Chappell caused havoc in the visiting ranks with a powerhouse run down the middle and Dunning positioned himself to drop a valuable one pointer.

Both sides continued to tackle like demons and it was East Leeds who cracked under the pressure when the impressive Hasty made a hash of a drop out under the sticks by carrying the ball into the field of play.

Innes scored the penalty to take his points tally for the season to more than 100. More importantly Bowling remained the only unbeaten side in the National Conference.

Keighley Albion were left still seeking their first win in 11 Division Two outings when they lost 16-10 at Heworth.

Despite starting brightly, with Ian Spencer and Craig Morphett's strong running putting the home side under pressure, Albion trailed when a Brendan Carlyle crossfield kick enabled Gavin Grant to score in the corner.

They then conceded a 17th-minute penalty which Dave Carling slotted over with ease and 6-0 was the half-time score.

When an Albion attack broke down early in the second half Heworth took advantage and scored a try from what seemed a clear forward pass to Richard Darling. A difficult kick was converted by Carling.

Sam Broadley and Steve Wrench responded by pushing Albion forward, supported by Kris Kirk and Rob Haughey.

A succession of penalties to both sides followed as tempers became frayed, but Albion got on the scoresheet when a flowing move supplied Livock with a try under the posts, which Kirk converted.

The gap was down to two points when Ben Farrar outpaced the flagging home defence to score but the goal attempt was off target.

Any thoughts of a comeback were scuppered when Heworth caught Albion out with a cheeky short kick-off and centre Nathan Witty scored a try wide out.