Bowling bashed up by Williamson

West Bowling were never seriously in the hunt yesyerday after making a bright start against tough-tackling Oulton Raiders at the Bankfoot Oval in the National Conference League Premier Division.

Bowling went straight into the lead from the kick-off when the Raiders were caught offside and wingman Lee Innes slotted over the penalty.

Centre Mark Dunning should have been the architect in increasing the advantage but held on with second-row forward Ricky Helliwell completely unmarked in the corner.

Loose forward Sha Basha denied opposite number Andy Falkingham by turning him on his back over the line when Oulton made their first sortie but the visitors levelled the scores with a penalty.

West's scrambling defence had to go into overdrive to keep the Raiders at bay and the pressure finally told when hooker Aidan Bowden burrowed over from the ruck and forward Sash Brook added the conversion.

A further penalty went on the board and a kick on the last tackle saw Innes fumble, giving full back Tommy Griffiths a gift for another converted try as Bowling wilted.

Dunning scored a classic touchdown when he dummied from a runaround and Innes added the extras - but the try-scoring hero blotted his copybook when he put a kick on only the second tackle straight into the hands of stand-off Ash Williamson, who raced 60 metres to the whitewash to put Oulton into the sheds 20-8 up.

Bowling again made a bright start on the restart. Wingman Adam Crompton could not collect a difficult pass from centre Gavin Buckley with the line beckoning and, when the Raiders failed to close down a kick and chase, Buckley won the race to touch down. Innes ensured full reward to put the game back within reach.

The visitors upped the ante through their lively pack and two missed tackles saw scrum half Alan White grab a chance.

A smart interchange led to Williamson's brace and he crowned a splendid show by collecting a kick and chase for his hat-trick.

A bruised and battered Bowling may have come out second best against a high calibre and well-organised Oulton side.

But the determination and character now instilled by coach Richard Heseltine shone through with a late rally that saw prop forward Liam Martin surge into the visitors' mass defence to plant the ball on the chalk. Innes made sure of the conversion to give West's the final say.