BRADFORD Dudley Hill’s hopes of a second successive title and promotion in the Yorkshire Men’s League suffered another blow on Saturday, as a difficult few weeks continued.

They travelled to Hunslet ARLFC’s YML side, hoping to get their season back on track, but fell to a 14-10 defeat.

The Bradford outfit were thrashed in the quarter-finals of the British Amateur Rugby League Association National Cup by Haresfinch, losing 46-16, before being beaten 22-14 the following week in Division One of the YML by Siddal Academy.

This game at Hunslet was Dudley Hill’s first since losing to Siddal, but their task was made difficult given a number of players were suspended, injured, on work duties or late withdrawals, meaning head coach Jason Lee had to make some forced changes.

Hill fell behind early doors to a Hunslet try but scores from second row Mark Safranauskas and stand off Martin Southwell, plus one goal from full back Simon Sewell, saw the Parry Lane men go into the break 10-4 up and looking to be in command.

But as more injuries befell the visitors in the second half, coupled with some all too familiar ill-discipline, including the sin binning of centre Neil Wall, Dudley Hill soon lost their momentum.

Hunslet helped themselves to two tries in the second half, converting one, while the away side went scoreless, meaning the hosts took both the game and second spot in the table.

It was bad news for Keighley Albion in the YML Premier Division too, as they slid to a brutal 62-20 defeat at Fryston Warriors, leaving them sixth in the eight-team table.

Brighouse Rangers stay top of Division Two thanks to their walkover win against Emley Moor Cougars, but Birkenshaw Blue Dogs remain rooted to the foot of the table after being thumped 58-10 at high-flying Castleford Panthers.

Wyke stay bottom of Division Three after being beaten 28-8 at Elland/Greetland.

Keighley Albion Academy had a better day than their first team, moving up to third-bottom in Division Six with a 24-18 win over Hemsworth Dragons.

But Birkenshaw Blue Dogs Academy, like their senior side, are bottom of the table, having handed Moortown Mambas a walkover win.

In the YML Merit League, Odsal Sedbergh ground out a 30-16 away win at Harrogate Hawks in torrential rain.

Club veteran Jonny Ward crossed four times, with Shaq Jones and player-coach Robert Booth also getting their names on the scoresheet.

Over in the National Conference League Alliance Division, West Bowling Academy are now four points clear at the summit after beating Heworth 22-10.

West Bowling’s open age team are having a tougher time of things in the National Conference League Premier Division.

They currently sit second-bottom after Friday night’s 24-18 defeat at York Acorn, only above basement dwellers Lock Lane, who have a game in hand, on points difference.

Harry Williams landed both of his conversion attempts on Friday night, but West Bowling fell just short of victory at York Acorn. Harry Williams landed both of his conversion attempts on Friday night, but West Bowling fell just short of victory at York Acorn. (Image: John Ashton.)

Stanningley are starting to get cut adrift of the Division One play-offs after their agonising 10-8 loss against Ince Rose Bridge on Saturday.

Finally, in Division Three of the NCL, Drighlington have slipped to five points off top spot after losing an entertaining game 28-22 at leaders Distington.