A cracking try from 16-year-old hooker Louis Jordan saw Clayton to a 20-16 success against Leeds Metropolitan University in the preliminary round of the Powergen Challenge Cup at Lidget Green.

The Villagers' poor league form meant they started as underdogs against the powerful university side, coached by Paul Cook and Paul Fletcher, but two first-half tries from Craig Pickthall and Damien Hunter saw them into the break 14-4 in front.

The visitors made full use of the slope to edge ahead 16-14 but Jordan marked his return from a ten-week lay-off by scoring under the posts.

Fellow teenager John Belshaw kicked the rest of the points in another fine performance, and Clayton breathed a sigh of the relief in the closing minutes when the Metro full back raced the length of the field, hotly pursued by Danny Caston and Jason Brooksbank, who caught him and bundled him into touch at the corner flag.

Queensbury wingman Luke Brearcliffe lodged his 19th try of the season when he scored a hat-trick in the 46-4 Pennine League Premier Division home win against Brighouse Rangers.

Bury were in an uncompromising mood and the visitors had no answer as further tries from Gareth Hobson (2), Karl Smith (2), Trevor Stead (2) and Mark Kraft put them to the sword.

Birkenshaw came out on top 22-14 at home to West Bowling A in the Division One derby at East Bierley.

Birky made the early running with touchdowns from wingman Simon Armitage and stand-off Andy Hirst, both converted by Matt Honeysett.

Ash Wood kicked a penalty to narrow the gap to 12-2 at the break, and in the second half Danny Haigh and Adrian Priestly scored a further two converted tries for West's.

Mark Holden replied before wingman Jon Evans made absolutely sure of a Birky win with a touchdown in the dying moments.

Victoria Rangers lost 30-16 at home to a very strong Kippax outfit. Benoit Rogers (2) and Danny Dixon made the whitewash and Len Dalladay kicked two goals. Prop forward Alan Smith collected the Rangers man-of-the-match award.

In Division Two, Queensbury A suffered a 42-0 roasting at Greetland All Rounders, despite the noble efforts of cousins Brett and Gregg Marriott.

Undercliffe hold pride of place in Division Three after a 14-6 win against previously unbeaten table-toppers Dearne Valley at Rawdon Meadows.

Cliffe full back Damian Padgett was in devastating form, scoring a crucial try in each half, and loose forward Paul Baxter made sure he reached the chalk early on the restart.

Wingman Steve Helliwell kicked the solitary conversion. Bank Top Harriers celebrated their first outing for over a month with a 72-0 rout against bottom-of-the-table Hollinwood.

Jason Gelder (4), Dean Helliwell, Scott Haley, Mark Conway, Cameron Nelson, Craig Fisher and Adam Gillard scored the pick of the tries.

Wyke kept their Division Four promotion ambitions on course with a 30-24 home win against old rivals Drighlington A.

They led 16-6 at half-time through Ian Watkinson, Ben Stirk and Barry Mc-Sherra.

Further touchdowns from Alan Binns and Mike Buttrick, however, led to over- confidence, and the visitors hit back with four tries to spoil the scoreline.

Three goals from the boot of Craig Hillam proved decisive in the end.

Wyke A lost 20-12 to Division Six Sportsman. Mick Evans and Gary Smith crossed and it was left to old-timers Craig Scott and Darren Barraclough to roll back the clock with some nice touches.