WEST Bowling are on the brink of safety in the National Conference League Premier Division after beating relegation rivals Thatto Heath Crusaders 36-32 in an epic encounter at Horsfall on Saturday.

The two sides shared 12 tries between them, but the Bradford side’s six were all converted by the nerveless Harry Williams, which was enough to see them pinch victory.

Former Keighley Cougars man Aidan Scully crossed the whitewash twice for the home side, as did talented centre Charlie Barrett.

Williams also helped himself to a try, as did former Bradford Bulls youngster Lewis Camden.

With three sides to be relegated, Bowling are not quite safe heading into their tricky final day game at high-flying Rochdale Mayfield.

They are a point clear of Thatto now, but the Crusaders have a much nicer game on paper, at home to already-relegated Kells.

Heworth are the side sat in third-bottom and in the drop zone, two points behind Bowling.

But they have a healthy enough points difference that they could overtake both Thatto and Bowling with a home win over a strong Hunslet ARLFC side on the last day.

It was a fantastic weekend for Bowling, whose Academy side beat Eastmoor Dragons 44-16 on Saturday to seal the NCL Alliance Division title, while their talented teens beat Drighlington 14-10 on Sunday to scoop the Under-18s Division Two crown.

Like Bowling’s first team, Stanningley are fighting the drop in the NCL, but their hopes of Division One survival increased markedly with a vital 28-18 win at relegation rivals Hull Dockers.

Drighlington will play in the Division Three promotion play-offs, rounding off the regular season with a 38-16 home win over Milford.

Over in the Yorkshire Men’s League, Keighley Albion remain second bottom of the Premier Division, though played their part in a high-scoring game at home to King Cross Park, before losing 38-22.

Connor Meegan (ball in hand) scored one of Keighley Albion's tries on Saturday.Connor Meegan (ball in hand) scored one of Keighley Albion's tries on Saturday. (Image: Darren Cox.)

Third-placed Bradford Dudley Hill were handed a walkover win at home to Hunslet ARLFC’s YML side, which caused them great frustration given they had a big fun day planned at the ground to mark their final home game of the season.

Wibsey Warriors are bottom of the division without a win, and they were forced to gift Mirfield a walkover victory on Saturday.

Queensbury also withdrew from their fixture, a Division Two clash at Illingworth, but Brighouse Rangers thumped Emley Moor Cougars 70-0 to wrap up top spot, while third-bottom Birkenshaw Blue Dogs rounded off a tough season with a superb 23-16 win over high-flying Castleford Panthers.

Wyke have finished second bottom of Division Three, but they put up a good fight at home to Upton on the final day, before losing 30-22.

Keighley Albion Academy came third in Division Six after being handed a walkover win by Sharlston Rovers Academy, with Birkenshaw Blue Dogs Academy ending up bottom after having to pull out in mid-season.

Finally, Odsal Sedbergh lost 36-8 in a friendly against Stanningley’s YML side.