BRADFORD produced a great 26-6 win over Burton in their second match of the Federation competition, following up a 25-7 win over Doncaster earlier this month.

This victory puts them in pole position to finish top of their group – and by the time they play their final match against the UK Police on Sunday, July 24 they will know exactly what they need to do to finish top.

The home match against Burton was played at Shipley Club, with Bradford making the perfect start thanks to Asa Briggs duo Stuart King 21-4 and Andy Denton 21-7.

Adam Mellor quickly followed with a 21-5 success to put Bradford in total control and when anchorman James Davison (Eccleshill) came off with a great 21-4, the home job was done against vociferous opponents 12-2.

The away match was at Burton Constitutional Club and, despite a great 21-4 for the hosts, Bradford replied with three winning games to lead by ten chalks after four jacks.

The same happened in the middle four jacks, with Burton carding a 21-5 success and Bradford replying with another three winners, with Mark Cunningham (Shipley Club) 21-9 being the pick of them as Bradford extended their lead to 19 chalks.

Bradford then held that advantage and Neil Tordoff (Wyke) finished things off with a great 21-9 as Bradford carded a 10-4 away win and an overall 26-6 success.

Home scores – Bradford 238 (12) Burton 161 (2) (Bradford names first): Stuart King (Asa Briggs) 21 Edward Wallis 4, Phil Dowgill (Cononley) 18 Antony Fairhurst 21, Andy Denton (Asa Briggs) 21 Lewis Belcher 7, Tony Throup (Wyke) 21 Adam Dickenson 17, Adam Mellor (Eccleshill) 21 Steve Johnson 5, Paul Wilczynski (Shipley Club) 21 Simon Litherland 15, Andrew Fowler (Clayton) 21 Kevin Banton 19, Scott Sansom (Asa Briggs) 10 Daniel Laughlin 21, Ashley Southwell (Asa Briggs) 21 Les Arnold 20, Jordan Brown (Wibsey) 21 Andy Tomlin 17, Paul Gill (Clayton) 21 Paul Chatterton 11, James Davison (Eccleshill) 21 Ian Wallis 4.

Away scores – Burton 180 (4) Bradford 200 (10) (Bradford names first): Josh Mordue (Pudsey) 21 Brian O'Leary 13, Lisa Rice (Pudsey) 21 Laura Farmer 10, Bob Wilkinson (Wyke) 21 David Stewart 13, Trevor Benn (Wyke) 4 Nick Ford 21, Graham Baggley (Shipley Club) 21 Mark Gardener 16, Peter Ellis (Spen Victoria) 21 Graham Earp 13, Andrew Heenan (Asa Briggs) 5 James Gardener 21, Mark Cunningham (Shipley Club) 21 Blake Skinner 9, Craig Fenton (Shipley Club) 21 Simon Hill 13, John Preston (Shipley Club) 9 Ray Robinson 21, Kevin Wood (Shipley Club) 14 Richard MaCalister 21, Neil Tordoff (Wyke) 21 Rob Skinner 9.

Both Airedale teams were also in Federation action, with their A side going down 19-13 against Middleton and the B players suffering a 24-8 defeat against Menai.

Airedale A carded an impressive 11-3 home win, winning the aggregate by 55 chalks thanks to Martyn Benson (Rufford) 21-8, Richard Stockdale (Eccleshill) 21-9 and Dan Carter (Tarnfield) 21-9.

But it was the away team who struggled, going down 12-2 and losing the aggregate by 66 chalks.

Airedale B suffered home and away defeats, in which Roy Knowles (Burley-in-Wharfedale) and Andrew Howie (Eccleshill) starred with 21-9 cards.