West Bowling made National Conference Premier Division high-fliers Eastmoor Dragons battle every inch of the way before falling to an unwarranted 22-14 defeat.
Full back Peter Simpson showed all his guile and experience to post a try and two goals to put Bowling 8-6 in front midway into the first half before the hosts hit back to go into the sheds 16-8 up.
Bowling put the cat firmly amongst the pigeons when scrum half Dan Ramsden dummied his way to the chalk, leaving Simpson to add the extras to ensure a ding-dong finish, with the Dragons hanging on for grim life.
All of which left Bowling wondering just what might have been if they had not lost international centre and top try-scorer Tim Sutcliffe for the whole of the second half with a knee injury.
Queensbury had a welcome 34-16 Pennine League Premier win at home to Keighley Town. Town hit the front with a Dave O'Conner converted try before Bury steadied the ship to run out convincing winners after Brett Marriott, Trevor Stead, Gareth Hobson, Steve Eyles, Kristian Freibach and Carl Smith reached the whitewash.
A travel-weary Clayton found hosts New Earswick All Blacks in rampant mood to trail 28-6, with only a Scott Holt try to show for their efforts.
They pulled their socks up in fine style to come back from the precipice on the restart but two dozy interception tries cost them dear and they ran out of time at 42-36 in arrears.
Chris Parkinson (2), Matt Flanagan, Dom Brook and Gareth Judson posted touchdowns, with Danny Belshaw kicking all the conversions.
Victoria Rangers at last got off the mark in Division One with a 38-28 home win against Dodworth while West Bowling A stay top of Division Two after a 58-26 mauling of Calder Valley.
Fans' favourite Mark Dunning posted a hat-trick and seven goals with Bob Benn, Ross Simpson, Paul Armitage (2), Steve Gregory, Chris Curtain, Michael Green and man of the match Sam Whitehouse also making the scoreboard.
A week after facing the disappointment of not being able to raise a second team, Division Three side Queensbury A bounced back with a hard-earned 28-22 win at fellow strugglers Elland.
Both teams face a difficult future due to player shortages - in fact, Elland had the only substitute.
Bury scored early and were always in front but victory was never certain until the final whistle.
Try-scorers for Bury were Neil Hobson (2), Liam Holmes (2) and Andrew Barraclough, with four goals for Rob Smith.
Wyke stay in second spot despite the 30-18 setback at Hoyland. The black and whites' big pack was outmuscled for the first time this term and it was left to backs Ian Watkinson, Alan Binns, Shaun Godfrey and Paul Woodhead to keep their tally ticking over.
Thornton got back to winning ways in a bruising Division Five encounter at Woodhouse Warriors.
Having lost their 12-0 half-time advantage, they found another gear to triumph 24-12.
Prop Justin Gornall took the man-of-the-match accolade and winger Nicky Bolton scored two tries.
Wibsey lost their Division Six clash at West Leeds 26-24 following a late touchline penalty.
Danny Bingley was Wibsey's star man with two tries and six goals.
Wyke A won 28-10 at home to Cowling. Steve Housen (2), Gary Smith and Liam Hay crossed with Mickey Wormald adding the kicks.
Queensbury under-18s, meanwhile beat New Earswick 22-0 with tries coming from Mick McGhee (2), Callum Murgatroyd, Ben Tynewell and Greg Worthington.
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