Wyke fell at the first hurdle of the BARLA NATIONAL CUP with an 18-0 defeat to Birstall Victoria in the preliminary round.

The Black and Whites surrendered home advantage and switched the fixture to Birstall when Towngate was declared unplayable.

And with hooker Ian Watkinson leading from the front, they gave their higher-ranked Pennine League colleagues a right battle before the scoreline flattered the hosts, who scored a converted try on the final hooter.

League action saw Birkenshaw have a DIVISION ONE WEST draw snatched from their grasp when King Cross Park collected a crucial six-pointer in the dying embers of a pulsating clash to win 18-12.

Birky galloped into an early lead when scrum half Sean Godfrey crossed and Matt Honeysett tagged on the extras.

King Cross edged 12-6 in front at the interval but when centre Morton Robinson sprinted over and Honeysett ensured full reward, the match looked to be finishing all square.

But it was the visitors who had the final say, leaving a disappointed Birkenshaw to take some solace from two encouraging debuts by teenagers Luke Hudson and Liam Darvill.

Bank Top Harriers had too much forward fire power for old rivals Lindley Swifts, which set the platform for a sparking 24-6 home success in DIVISION TWO.

Former Wyke favourite James Wild and ex-Keighley Cougars, Dewsbury Rams and Hunslet Hawks prop Danny Murgatroyd ran riot at the start.

Then when Johnny Bruce, another former professional with Sheffield Eagles, joined them from the bench, the intensity increased.

Wingman Finlay Lamont, full back Luke Harps plus centres Mark Bailey and Jason Gelder made the whitewash, with stand-off Adam Mitchell slotting over two conversions.

Murgatroyd grabbed a solo try and was only denied a hat-trick from a dubious double movement and a forward pass during back play.