Victoria Rangers scrum half Jason Pounder was on target with a late drop goal to earn his side the spoils 13-12 in a hard-fought Division One encounter at Brighouse Rangers.

The Vics' sliding defence had to work like Trojans to keep their lively hosts at bay in the opening exchanges.

When prop forward Chris Gardner was forced to retire with a dislocated shoulder Brighouse took full advantage and scored two tries from centres Richard Flynn and Dean Wilson.

Wilson obliged with the extras to give them clear water at 12-0.

The Vics stuck to their guns and powerful second row forward Kenny Smith was rewarded for his endeavours when he popped up at the end of a Pounder run to crash over in the corner to close the half 12-4.

Australian stand off Craig Nipress produced a telling short pass on the restart to put Smith over for his second and with high shots coming thick and fast, two penalties from Tim Hunt levelled the scores.

Pounder's reputation as a one-point specialist came to the fore and he calmly slotted over an easy opportunity from in front of the posts to keep the Vics' slim promotion hopes alive.

Birkenshaw lost 25-18 at rivals Elland and now face a nail-biting finale in the run-in to decide who takes the Premier title.

Birky made a cracking start with a try and a goal from stand off Andy Hirst. With Elland narrowly in front at 8-6, disaster struck when the Birky players saw the touch judge raise his flag and stopped engines. Centre Richard Cousins had passed the ball before going out of play, however, and the referee said play on and Elland picked up the ball to race over unopposed.

In the second half, wingman James Ignatiuk and hooker Steve Gallagher scored tries, both converted by Hirst, but Elland's superior firepower earned them the vital two points.

West Bowling A wingman Johnny Johnson (2), and centre Chris Scott both scored tries in the 28-14 defeat at Crigglestone All Blacks in a result which ensures another season in Division One.

Odsal Sedbergh had to put the Division Two championship-winning champagne back on ice following their 28-26 setback at Queensbury A.

It looked plain sailing for Sedbergh when they led 26-10 on the hour but Bury hit back to level the scores and when Sedbergh kicked the restart out on the full, substitute Steve Gallagher stepped up to boot over the winner. Bury's tries came from Matt Wood, Luke Cooper, Kristian Friebach, Danny Wilcock and Danny Hewitt. Wyke looked to be on course for a welcome Division Four win when they led 13-10 on their visit to Littleborough but a wild pass from veteran Alan Terry gave the hosts a gift interception try that finally put the skids under the black and whites, who went down 38-30.

James Wild, Paul Coates, Spud Murphy, Dean Mitchell and Aaron Priestley crossed for Wyke and Paul Coates kicked the goals.

Keighley Albion completed a league double over Emley, beating them 28-14. Tries from Jimmy Feather (2), Steve Wrench, Craig Livock and Steven Cullen inflicted the damage.

l In the National Conference League Premier Division, West Bowling's magnificent late surge towards the play-offs continued with an impressive 20-6 win at Wigan St Patricks.

Bowling produced another no-nonsense team performance that was built on sound defence to turn around 8-6 up following a try from scrum half Steven Illingworth and two goals from wingman Lee Innes.

Innes was soon over on the restart and Bowling continued to frustrate a lively St Pats with their fine tackling.

Wingman Paul Gardner crossed for the vital decider and two further goals from deadly marksman Innes made absolutely sure of a happy return journey. Craig Nipress of Victoria Rangers is pictured running into a wall of Brighouse defenders.