West Bowling’s five-match unbeaten National Conference League run came to an end with a narrow 24-22 defeat at Division Two promotion candidates Eastmoor Dragons.

Bowling stuck to their guns, posting a converted try from Joe Simpson together with a Damian Smith touchdown to trail 16-10 at the interval.

It was all square soon after the restart when Smith crossed again and added the extras but the hosts rallied once more to establish what appeared to be a decisive tally at 24-16.

Bowling, with classy old hands Ady Leek and Nigel Halmshaw to the fore, had other ideas and pack man Richard Lumb squeezed in at the corner, leaving Smith to land a towering touchline conversion.

This set up a thrilling finale that saw Eastmoor just get home by the skin of their teeth.