Queensbury matched Featherstone Lions' six try total, but still lost 34-26 in the first round of their away Silk Cut Challenge Cup tie. 'Bury, however, could only manage one conversion against the Lions' five, a factor which proved vital in a thrilling tie.

They also suffered a crushing blow before the game when influential stand-off Lee Slater cried off with flu.

An early Lions converted try found Queensbury trailing, but after 20 minutes loose forward Danny Wilcock put them on the board when he crossed on the blind side following a scrum. The goal attempt from the touchline by Carl Smith hit the upright.

Featherstone eased further in front with a try from wingman Jason Ramskill, scrum half Neil Frankland adding the extras, but 'Bury hooker Lee Burnett was on hand to cross on the stroke of half time to make the score 12-8.

On the restart 'Bury began to get on top, but disaster struck when a high bomb bounced in favour of home centre Richard Jepson who gratefully accepted the touchdown. Frankland again converted.

Queensbury struck back immediately with a try from Gary Marsden and the attacking skills of both sides was evident as first the Lions with two tries - one converted - equalled two from 'Bury through Wilcock and Burnett.

It was scrum half Carl Smith who provided the highlight of the match when from his own 22 metre area he raced through a gap, outpaced his pursuers, side stepped the fullback and scored a cracking try to make the score 28-26.

When second row forward Matthew Galtress crossed the line carrying a number of defenders it looked as if 'Bury had taken the tie, but the try was disallowed for not grounding the ball. Queensbury continuetheir all out attack, but this proved to be their downfall when in injury time a desperate pass was intercepted and home wingman Neil Aston raced away for a converted try.

In the Pennine League the weather took its toll on a large number of matches.

Birkenshaw got under way at Calder Valley in Division One but lost 26-10. They never recovered from conceding 16 points in the first ten minutes, but a Phil Smith try converted from the touchline by Simon Armitage gave them hope 16-6 at half time.

It was not to be, however, as the home side ran up another ten points in the second half against a solo effort from winger Tony Marshall - his first for the club.

In Division Four, West Bowling A drew 16-16 at Todmorden. Steve Carter (2) and Ryan Hankin scored the tries with Chris Scott kicking two goals.

Shipley are struggling for players in Division Five and as a result suffered a heavy 60-4 defeat at Hillsborough Hawks A. Shipley took an early lead through a Mark Smith try before they fell to pieces against a very fast home outfit.

There was jubilation at West Bowling B who posted a 38-20 home win against Littleborough A. The victory brought welcome relief after a number of recent reverses. Wesley Brook (2), John Hellewell (2), Darren Pyrah, John Carney and Martin Wright scored tries and Anthony Davies (4) and Hellewell kicked the goals.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.