Amateur Rugby League: West Bowling and Queensbury will regard last weekend's drawn home games as a point lost rather than a point gained in their quest for the Premier Division title.

West Bowling had the worst possible start against leaders Park Amateurs when visiting wingman Foulds was allowed a free run close to the touchline - and not a glove was laid on him as he crossed in the corner.

Things went from bad to worse when a speculative long pass from Dean Garside was intercepted by scrum half Mark Rawlinson, who raced 40 metres in a clear run to the posts, and another touchdown soon followed from speedy centre Nick Smith to give the Halifax outfit a 14-0 lead.

Bowling second row forward John Metcalfe got his side's effort under way after 25 minutes when he powered over, leaving three defenders helpless in his wake.

Garside added a belter from wide out and then made amends for his early lapse by combining well with skipper Glenn Barraclough to cross near to the posts. He again added the extras.

Park centre Smith's advice to referee Ian McGregor earned him 10 minutes in the sin bin and Bowling took advantage of superior numbers when sub Kevin Morgan combined well with centre Martin Tordoff to give wingman Ady Priestley the chance to cross in the corner and make the score 16-14 at the break.

On the re-start Tordoff was the quickest to react to a rebound near the line to plunge over and when Garside again converted from the touchline and soon after kick a penalty Bowling were in the driving seat 24-14.

Park showed their pedigree with a converted try and when bang on time they crossed in the corner it was Bowling who had their fingers crossed as the conversion attempt sailed wide and the match ended 24-24.

It was obvious from the start that Queensbury's 8-8 game against Elland could have gone either way in conditions that made open rugby out of the question.

Elland took the lead with a penalty before 'Bury hit back with a try from centre Mark Gay that was improved by scrum half Carl Smith to make the score 6-2 at half time.

The Halifax side drew level with a unconverted try but Smith was on hand to restore the lead with a further penalty and 'Bury looked to be heading for the win as the clock ticked away.

Elland however were then awarded a hotly disputed penalty of their own when 'Bury second row forward Andrew Senior was judged to be holding in the tackle when it was plain for all to see that it was the Elland player who had firmly gripped his jersey.

Clayton suffered yet another blow when forward Brett Pendlebury had his wrist broken in a 10-6 defeat by Underbank Rangers at the Delph.

The Holmfirth side had taken a 4-0 lead when centre Chris Parr showed all his class by scoring a cracking 50 metre try. He was fouled over the line and although the conversion attempt missed he made no mistake from the extra penalty under the posts to give his side a 6-4 lead at the interval.

Underbank levelled matters with a penalty and Clayton were then the architects of their own downfall when sloppy tackling gifted the visitors a woeful try.

The Villagers virtually camped on the Rangers' line, but despite a strong effort a score would just not come. Forwards Darren Swales and Mark Schofield were Clayton's best on the day.

In Division Three, West Bowling A found Silsden Park Rangers too hot to handle and went down 22-18. Bowling can thank standoff Jason Woolham for keeping them in the game with 5 goals. Simon Armitage and Peter Ryan crossed for tries.

Division Five Shipley were disappointing against a strong Sowerby Bridge Robins A, never getting to grips with the cold and wet conditions to lose 20-4. Phil Smith was their only scorer with a try.

West Bowling B centre Eddie Womersley was the man of the match in their 42-0 catastrophe at Siddal B.

It did not prove to be in any way unlucky as Queensbury A marched to their 13th consecutive victory at Littleborough A by 24-0. 'Bury took rested a number of players, but were surprised by the tenacity of the home outfit who restricted them to a solitary try to full back Stewart Bennett, goaled by Shaun Fallon, in the first half

The Bury fitness prevailed in the final half-hour as tries followed to Paul Skelton, Richard Ingham and Stephen Senior. Fallon could only convert one of them, but compensated with a further try.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.