Two moments of pure class from long-serving centre Martin Tordoff gave West Bowling A the spoils 8-4 after a hard-fought Pennine League encounter with King Cross Park.
With Bankfoot Oval frostbound, Bowling switched the DIVISION ONE WEST game to their second pitch at Emsleys Rec and their enterprise quickly bore fruit when Tordoff struck from the first scrum.
He collected a short pass at speed to break the cover and race 80 metres downfield, before producing a perfect offload to send Mike Batty racing to the chalk.
King Cross, who had lowered Clayton’s colours the previous week, hit back to level matters 4-4 at the break.
Both sides’ defensive capabilities ensured a second-half stalemate until Tordoff broke the deadlock with another stunner to secure the points.
Delighted Bowling player-coach Mark Dunning was quick to sing the praises of his young charges.
“Our two 18-year-olds, centre Matty Tummilty and prop Ryan Patchett, were absolutely outstanding,” he said.
“And Martin (Tordoff) still seems to have a built-in sat-nav to the try line, giving the perfect example to all the team with his enthusiasm and commitment.”
Section leaders Wibsey Warriors completed a league double over bottom side Illingworth with a comfortable 42-8 away victory.
Top enforcer was Ryan Smith with a superb hat-trick, while further tries came from Carl Walker (2), Scott Smith, Phil Brain, Brad Tattersall and Nick Fontaine.
Harry Hall added six points with the boot for another healthy total which takes the Warriors three points clear at the summit.
Meanwhile, Queensbury went down 32-10 at PREMIER DIVISION title-chasers Sharlston Rovers.
Queensbury acknowledged that they were second best to a well-drilled Sharlston side but also felt the final total did not reflect their contribution to what was a cracking game.
In glue-pot conditions, they posted a solitary try from Luke Brearcliffe to change ends just 12-4 down.
A try and conversion from Scott Swann after the interval gave them a measure of hope at 20-10, until two last-gasp touchdowns gave Rovers a hard-earned victory.
Veteran packman Lee Kelly was Queensbury’s best player on the day and 17-year-old prop Adam Wright marked his debut with a solid display.
Odsal Sedbergh logged a welcome 22-10 success at Littleborough in DIVISION THREE.
But Undercliffe Wildboars had to share the spoils 24-24 at home to DIVISION FOUR rivals New Earswick All Blacks A.
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