Amateur Rugby League: West Bowling scrum half Dean Garside scored an impressive 22 points in a 58-4 mauling of Pennine Premier League newcomers Sowerby Bridge Robins at Bankfoot.

The writing was on the wall as early as the second minute when prop forward Mick Gorman sauntered through some woeful tackling to plant the ball at the side of the uprights.

In bitterly cold conditions Bowling produced a number of crisp passing moves that resulted in tries to Sha Basha, Martin Tordoff and, bang on the stroke of half time, Glenn Barraclough.

One topic of discussion at half-time was the repertoire of unusual scrum offences found by referee Mick Robinson, much to the displeasure of the large crowd.

With a comfortable half-time lead of 22-4, Bowling started the second period where they had left off with a try to Andy Leek straight from the kick off. The Robins were clearly no match for a fast and fit Bowling outfit that rarely had to change gear as they piled on the points.

Centre Martin Tordoff added his second touchdown quickly followed by efforts from full back Simon Owen, wingmen Matthew Whittaker and Steve Gregory before Garside crowned his fine display with two tries to his complement his seven goals.

Bowling second row forward Richard Annetts took the eye with an all action display.

Champions Clayton lost 20-10 on their visit to second placed Underbank Rangers. The Villagers had first use of the slope but still found themselves on the wrong end of a 10-0 score at the break. The omens looked bleak for the second half but hooker Peter 'Fudgy' Milnes went over to close the gap to 10-4 and when Paul Cornforth scored one of his specials converted by Darren Collins it looked as though Clayton could salvage the points.

Underbank were not going to be denied, though, and a late score settled matters in their favour. Clayton's forward duo of Dave Todd and Mark Anderson were the pick of the team.

In Division Four there was an old-fashioned encounter as Keighley Celtic and Victoria Rangers drew 4-4.

Vics' full back Dave Taglione scored their only try in the first half in a game where defences ruled the day. Neither side could manage any points in the second half with Rangers forwards Ray Greenwood and Gavin White-head sharing the man of the match award.

In Division Five, Shipley feel they suffered as a result of Park Amateurs A having their cup match cancelled against Queensbury when the Park B team arrived late and consisted of several players who had not played against them in the away fixture.

Shipley's fears were soon realised when they trailed 12-0 at half time. They conceded a penalty on the restart but produced a purple patch to register tries to loose forward Mick Carnelly and second row forward Tony Perrow.

Scrum half Steve Ellison capped a good performance with a goal to put Shipley back in the hunt at 14-10.

But the obvious experience of the Park team took over and proved too strong for Shipley in the end, losing 24-10.

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