Birkenshaw 44 Dearne Valley 18

 Birkenshaw closed the gap on the leading pack in Division One with a thumping win over the Dearne Valley Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs have only one win to their name all season and Birky were in no mood to see them add to that tally.

Both sides tested each other out in the early stages but it was Birky who drew first blood after ten minutes.

Prop Trevor West provided a neat off-load to Liam Darville, who was in support, and the stand-off duly raced over to score.

Birky extended their lead after a sweeping crossfield move through quick hands allowed Damon Smith to brush off a number of would-be tacklers to touch down.

Matt Gowland stepped up to add the extras and give the home side a 10-0 advantage.

Birky were temporarily halted when a missed one-on-one tackle close to the line allowed the Bulldogs to post a converted try.

However, they soon bounced back when Alan Binns made a great break and raced in from the halfway line, Gowland again adding the extras.

With half-time approaching Birky had the Bulldogs on the ropes and it was no surprise when they extended their lead, Smith off-loading under pressure allowing hooker Paul Riley to dive over. Gowland duly converted for a 22-6 lead at the break.

A grubber kick from Gowland was superbly collected by Tom Duff, who gave full back Ste Wroe a clear run to the line. Gowland was on target once again with the boot.

Birky then made it 32-6 when Smith made a break and Darville crossed for his second of the afternoon. Matt Honeysett tagged on the extras.

The Bulldogs managed a interception try but any chance of a fightback was shortlived as man of the match Darville completed his hat-trick from close range. Honeysett extended the lead to 40-12.

A spectacular 80-yard effort from Smith rounded off the Birky scoring before the Bulldogs managed a further consolation try with the last touch of the game.