WEST Bowling ARLFC are into the second round of the Betfred Challenge Cup, as head coach John Williams saw his first game in charge end in an impressive 34-22 win at Oulton Raiders.

The Leeds-based side have been familiar opponents for Bowling in Division One of the National Conference League over the last few years, but the Bradford outfit had not won there since 2019.

The sides are now a division apart after West Bowling won the second-tier title in 2023, while Oulton lost the play-off final to Heworth.

And that slight extra quality the Bradford side possess came to the fore in the first half of the pair’s Challenge Cup first-round tie on Saturday.

They raced out of the blocks in sensational fashion, ensuring the game was virtually over by the interval.

The visitors scored six first-half tries, though only managed to convert one, to establish a 26-0 lead.

But Oulton nearly joined Bowling in the NCL Premier Division for 2024 with good reason, and they dominated the game after the break.

Fortunately for the visitors, despite the best efforts of the Raiders, they could only manage 22 second-half points, with a converted try and a penalty from Bowling allowing them to wrap up a thrilling victory.

The away side’s tries came courtesy of Oliver Bartle, Liam Darville, Lewis Galtress, Nathaniel Light, Richard Lumb, Logan Simpson and Haydn Spence, while Liam Coe landed three goals.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Liam Coe was not at his best from the kicking tee on Saturday, but his three goals just gave Bowling the breathing space they needed to hold off a fine fightback from Oulton Raiders.Liam Coe was not at his best from the kicking tee on Saturday, but his three goals just gave Bowling the breathing space they needed to hold off a fine fightback from Oulton Raiders. (Image: Phil Jackson.)

Bowling’s reward is a long trip down to London for their second round game.

There they will take on Hammersmith Hills Hoists, who crushed Medway Dragons 56-6 in their first-round tie over the weekend.

The Bradford side have played Hammersmith recently, beating the men from the capital 42-12 at Emsleys Rec in the first round of the Challenge Cup in 2019.

Bowling’s second-round clash at Hammersmith this year takes place on Saturday, January 27, with the kick-off time yet to be confirmed.

Both sides will be going all out to claim victory in Chiswick, knowing a tie against Championship and League One could await them in the third round.