Rugby League: Albion victory

, 4 points behind leaders

Rangers were determined not to miss any socring chances and slotted a drop goal after jusrt five minutes.

Albion worked their way back into the game with Ian Spencer, Marco Ferrazano, Wayne Smith and Simon Marsden to the fore and Tom Holland strolled over for the first of his two tries. Two minutes later another attack resulted in centre Rob Haughey scoring under the posts. Dixon converted making the score 10-1.

Albion opened their second half account when poor tackling allowed Kirk to score out wide. Dixon convertedand added a penalty.

Chris Atkins scored the next Albion try with an exquisite reverse pass from Dixon who also kicked the conversion.

The best and final try of the game was scored by Tom Holland who picked up the ball from acting half 20metres from the Rangers line. He was immediately met by three Rangers forwards who he drove back, they were then joined by three other defenders who could not stop his forward momentum.

Holland kept his legs pumping and with one final effort stretched out and placed the ball over the line for an amazing try. Keith Dixon again converted making the final score 30-7.

Man Of the Match was Ian Spencer for his rock solid defence and willingness to do the hard yards when the going was tough.

This week Albion entertain Birkenshaw at Highfield in the last 16 of the Yorkshire Cup, kick off 2.00pm.

The second team are away to Meltham All Blacks.

Hollinwood 40

Silsden Park Rangers 47

Silsden made very hard work of beating bottom of the table Hollinwood. It was difficult to tell if Rangers were still on the bus as Hollinwood ran in an easy try in the opening minute.

Silsden responded with a solo effort from Danny Horn who dodged through the Hollinwood defence and ran in an 80-yard try. Andy Bowness converted to square the scores at six each.

Silsden were however still napping and allowed the home side to take another two easy tries to extend their lead to 18-6 after only 12 minutes.

The Cobbydale side rallied and Eddie Billing broke through the Hollinwood line, dancing his way out of tackles to cross the line. Shortly afterwards Hollinwood were penalised near to the Silsden line for interference at the play of the ball. Once again Horne slipped through the defensive line to score another long range try. Andy's conversion again squared the scores.

Poor tackling, which had been a feature of the first half on both sides during the first half, opened the door to allow Hollinwood to score another two tries. Just before half time Silsden put on a neat move which culminated in debutante Steve Holmes crossing the line in the corner. This took the Cobbydalers to within four points of the home side at the interval.

Matt Bowness went over for an early second half try and Silsden opened up a lead for the first time with the best try of the game. Bowness set off on break from close to his own line, he passed the ball out to Jon Gwilliam. Again the Hollinwood defence blocked his path but captain Neil Jordan was in close support and finished off with a try under the posts.

Silsden continued to apply the pressure and a clever chip through from Horne was collected by Gwilliam. He was brought down but a quick play the ball helped Bowness to score in the corner.

Powering drives from forwards Billings, Martyn Fryers and Graeme Sheffield once again put Hollinwood on the back foot, creating the territorial advantage which Horne took full advantage of, jinking around the defence. Five minutes later Horne scored his fourth of the afternoon tearing apart the home side's defensive line.

With a 28-46 lead Silsden thought they had the game wrapped up, but all credit to Hollinwood who, with some assistance from the referee, struck back with three tries in quick succession.

The lead was reduced to six points but Silsden managed to hold on with Bowness slotting a drop goal as the final whistle blew.

Next week Silsden are at home to Victoria Vikings at the earlier kick off time of 2.00pm.