Amateur Rugby League: West Bowling centre Martin Tordoff once again showed his big match temperament with a first half hat-trick in the 28-20 success over Queensbury in the Pennine League Premier Division derby at Bankfoot.
With both sides jealously guarding 100 per cent records, wingman Steve Gregory was the first to break the deadlock when he opened Bowling's account with a try in the corner.
Bury hit back after 11 minutes with a try to their outstanding stand-off Lee Slater, who spotted a huge gap to score under the posts. He was fouled in the process of touching down and Steve Gallagher made no mistake with the double kicks to give Bury an 8-4 lead.
The tackling from both sides was superb, but Tordoff brought the scores level when he tore onto a short pass from Lee Hunter to cross in the corner. Not to be outdone Slater's keen eye was again in evidence when he ghosted into a gap and fed the supporting Danny Wilcock who planted the ball under the sticks. Gallagher added the extras.
Tordoff had the huge crowd back on its toes when he once again raced onto a short ball to power over, Jason Woolham adding the conversion. His hat-trick followed shortly after when he was bang in position to support a Steve Pryce break. Woolham was again on hand with the conversion to give Bowling a 20-14 half time lead.
The all action second half was a credit to both sides, Bowling going further ahead in the 53rd minute when Woolham sold two dummies to cross at the posts for a try which he converted.
Queensbury were by no means done and after intense pressure Slater posted his second try - to which he also added the extras - to put them back in striking distance at 26-20.
It was obvious that the next score would decide the outcome of a cracking game and it was left to a Woolham penalty to draw the final curtain.
Clayton had a superb morale booster by winning a pulsating game17-16 at Elland.
The Villagers took an early lead with a cracking try from Scott Pendlebury, who chip kicked over the defence to re-gather and score.
They then fell behind 8-4 but two tries just before half time put them back in charge. Darren Collins got the first when he showed electrifying pace on a 45 metre angled run to the corner and Martin Redgrave posted the second by crashing over. Scrum half Adam Mitchell managed one conversion to give his side a 14-8 interval advantage.
A drop goal from Collins on the re-start increased the lead but the strong running Elland side then scored two tries to take a 16-15 lead.
With just three minutes left Mitchell kept his cool to kick a penalty which secured the two points.
In Division Four Victoria Rangers gave second placed Halifax Irish a real scare before going down 17-10 away.
After the Irish took an early lead with a try that was clearly a knock-on, Vics' pacy winger John Belcher ran the length of the field to open their account, Phil Greenwood adding the goal.
Some slack defending let the Halifax side in again but Tony Boase was on hand to cross the whitewash for Rangers' second.
A home drop goal then took the score to 13-10 at the break, but the Vics gave as good as they got in the second half but when a high kick was fumbled by their full back Dave Taglione their chance was gone.
In Division Five Shipley were in good fettle winning 40-10 at Rotherham A. With only 13 players available they provided a firm platform by leading 12-4 at half time with tries from Mick Carnelly and Richie Askham both converted by Steve Ellison.
The second period was all Shipley and further tries to Carnelly and Askham plus one each from Bob Myers, Terry O'Neill and Simon Whitehead plus a further four Ellison kicks put the icing on the cake.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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