Bradford side West Bowling complete great escape with help

They lost all of their first six league games and had still only won twice heading into the final weekend of June.

But a run of six victories in eight matches during the run-in meant they headed into their final-day fixture at high-flying Rochdale Mayfield with survival in their hands.

A draw or a victory would have kept them up regardless of results elsewhere, but they just fell short, losing 15-14, a great effort given they were down to 12 men for much of the game.

And with Thatto Heath Crusaders obliterating already-relegated Kells 62-0 to overtake Bowling on the final day, Bowling needed a favour from their West Yorkshire neighbours Hunslet ARLFC at Heworth.

If the hosts won, they had the chance to send the Bradford side down on points difference, but that did not come to pass.

Hunslet claimed a 30-14 away victory, meaning Bowling stayed up by two points, as Heworth were relegated alongside Kells and Egremont Rangers.

A nervy Stanningley are only outside of the Division One drop zone on points difference with two games to go after their disappointing 18-6 defeat at Woolston Rovers on Saturday.

Drighlington were not in action on Saturday having already completed their Division Three campaign.

But eight other sides were in action, and with the regular season now over for everyone in that division, Drig finally know their first play-off opponents.

They will host Beverley in the semis this weekend, where a win would put them into a final against either Distington or Leigh East.

Whoever wins the play-offs will be promoted to Division Two alongside East Leeds and Hensingham.

The final Yorkshire Men’s League Premier Division games took place on Saturday, with Keighley Albion confirmed as finishing seventh in the eight-team table.

They were not playing at the weekend, but the club’s Under-12s were, and they won the prestigious Yorkshire Challenge Cup with a 10-4 victory over Normanton Knights in the final.

Bradford Dudley Hill lost their final Division One game 18-6 at Mirfield, the victory ensuring the hosts won the title.

Bradford Dudley Hill (blue and yellow) lost on the final day, but they were up against the league champions. (Image: Lyndsey Cunnett.)

Dudley Hill finished the campaign in third ahead of fourth-placed Ossett Trinity Tigers on points difference only.

Wibsey Warriors finished rock-bottom in that division, losing all 14 of their league games.

Brighouse Rangers won the Division Two title, despite losing their final game 18-14 at home to Seacroft Sharks on Saturday.

Birkenshaw Blue Dogs came sixth in the eight-team table, while Queensbury finished bottom of the pile.

Wyke had already completed their Division Three campaign ahead of the weekend, but the final games were played, with the Bradford side confirmed as finishing second bottom.

Keighley Albion Academy came third in Division Six, while Birkenshaw Blue Dogs Academy withdrew in mid-season, so ended up at the foot of the table.

The season is over in the NCL Alliance Division, with Stanningley ‘A’ rounding off their campaign last Friday night by winning 38-6 against Heworth ‘A’.

That result meant Stanningley finished the season as runners-up behind title winners West Bowling Academy.