Knockout kings Wibsey Warriors coasted into the second round of the Pennine President’s Cup with a 28-8 win at Slaithwaite Saracens.
The Warriors posted two tries in the first half through stand-off Ryan Smith and packman Shaun Godfrey which, together with four goals from scrum half Luke Helliwell, saw them change ends 16-8 up.
Three-quarters Neil Sutcliffe and Nick Walker then reached the chalk as Wibsey dominated the second period, leaving Helliwell and Simon Sewell to add the extras and keep the Saracens pointless with a strong defensive game plan.
Pennine League action saw Keighley and West Bowling finish all square at 16-16 in their mid-table Premier Division derby clash.
Bowling shook the hosts when they marched into the lead following a try and a goal by wingman Ben Heald and edged further in front when Jordan Laban, their other flanker, crossed out wide. But second-row forward Chris Dooling rejuvenated Keighley’s fortunes on the half-hour mark, with stand-off Joe Copperwaite adding the extras to close the half 10-6 in favour of the visitors.
Keighley then hit the front with a try from substitute Aaron Nicholson on the restart, Copperwaite once more on target with the conversion.
But Bowling responded when centre Jason Marshall crossed the whitewash and Heald made sure of full reward to put the game on a knife edge.
It was left to Nicholson to crown a fine performance with five minutes left to go as he bagged his brace to earn Keighley a share of the spoils. Bowling were well served by loose forward Aidy Leek and prop Connor Wood, with hooker Joe Lumb also contributing massively in the tackling department.
Stand-off Adam Mitchell was in excellent form with a try and a goal as bottom side Bank Top Harriers made table-toppers Sharlston Rovers battle for every point in a close first half.
But with home advantage in their favour, Rovers showed their pedigree to eventually run out 40-10 winners, with Harriers centre Jason Gelder making the chalk for a consolation effort for the plucky visitors.
Victoria Rangers’ ambition to finish the Division Four campaign unbeaten is still on course following a 74-6 home win over Emley Moor.
Aiden Scully plundered a hat-trick to add to his eight conversions and Adam Hirst also posted a trio of tries.
Liam Hood (2), Aaron Levy, Robert Stones, Willy Woodhead and Isaac Brown also made the Emley line – but it was prop Bob Brown who earned the plaudits with his telling contribution in the pack.
West Bowling A scrum half Max Trueman crossed for a hat-trick in his side’s 36-16 home win against basement side Thornhill A. Callum Wilcock, Phil Munro and Karl Spring joined him on the scorecard.
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