West Bowling 37, Askam 6

West Bowling powered through to the third round of the ACE BARLA National Cup after shrugging off an early setback against Askam at Bankfoot Oval.

Wingman Mike Batty was acutely embarrassed to see the ball bounce through his legs, allowing Askam centre Ben Lewney the opportunity to pounce for the opener. Stand-off Mark Tyson slotted over the extras for an absolute gift.

Bowling soon rectified the mistake when Adam Crompton raced down his wing to set up the chance for colossus forward Liam Martin to crash over at the side of the uprights.

Loose forward Jonny Summers converted and was on target again shortly afterwards when Martin slipped an offload out of the back door to send half-back Gareth Cullington on a clear path to the whitewash.

With a matter of seconds left until the break, full back James Dewhirst popped a simple drop goal to ensure that at 13-6 the visitors had to score at least twice to stage a comeback.

Any such fears were soon dispelled as Bowling came out with all guns blazing in the second half.

Quick plays had Askam reeling and when second-row forward Aaron Chappell changed the point of attack, he found a huge gap to plant the ball near the posts.

A smart dash from Dewhirst then created a ‘pick up and burrow’ from influential hooker Nathan Hadfield, which – together with two more conversions from Summers – put the tie virtually out of reach at 25-6.

Bowling were clearly not in any mood to rest on their laurels and their dominant pack, with Ben Kelly and Gareth Shepherd to the fore, continued to batter the Askam six into submission.

Batty was denied for a forward pass before stand-off Todd Carter weaved his way to the chalk – and Batty was finally able to atone for his early lapse when he finished off a crisp move in the corner.

The best try of what was a fast and entertaining cup tie came just before the final curtain when Shepherd drew in the cover to slip out a peach of a pass to the supporting Chappell, who side-stepped his way over.

Summers missed his last three conversion attempts but his contribution was superb throughout.

Overall it left Bowling to ponder that if they can reproduce this form in their National Conference Division One campaign, the prospect of relegation will quickly disappear.