Queensbury 10, West Bowling 20

WEST Bowling grabbed the bragging rights in a Pennine League match played in blustery conditions at Hill Top.

The amount of football played was limited, so it turned out to be a physical Premier Division encounter between two very strong outfits.

Queensbury elected to play downhill but it was Bowling who scored first after ten minutes when good footwork by Olly Bartle gave him room to cross the whitewash from 15 metres out, Ben Heald converting to make it 6-0.

The hosts, helped by a couple of penalties, were then able to cross five minutes later through lively hooker Charlie Gallagher, thanks to his smart show and go.

As the game turned into an arm wrestle, Bowling's kicking game helped them stay out of their own red zone as both teams struggled to gain ground, with defences working overtime.

Queensbury did eventually find their way to the line through second-row man Jack Evison to lead 10-6 at the interval.

Coming out for the second half, Bowling had the wind at their backs – as well as the hill – to help them gain yards and began to up the tempo, which brought several penalties as Bury struggled to stem the tide.

The visitors' pressure told after 57 minutes when Richard Lumb found Chris Anderson, who powered over. But with the wind gusting strongly, the conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the scores at 10-10.

Bowling, spurred on by Anderson's try, applied more pressure and were moving the ball quickly, trying to find gaps in the defensive line.

On the hour, Max Trueman showed his quality to glide through the Bury rearguard, Heald again converting to make it 16-10.

Bury refused to throw in the towel and worked hard but could not find their way through Bowling's resolute, rugged defence.

The game remained very much in the balance before Bowling, helped by some Bury indiscipline, gained field position, allowing man of the match Bartle to cross for his second try and seal victory.

Bowling's other stand-out players on the day were Heald and Anderson, with scrum half Joe Flanagan, Gallagher and Evison impressive for Queensbury.