Brighouse Rangers 7, Silsden Park Rangers 14

Eddie Billings celebrated his 21st birthday in style by grabbing the match winning try in the closing stages of a pulsating Pennine Cup tie, as Silsden Park Rangers turned giant killers in defeating First Division Brighouse Rangers. Brighouse had struggled to cope with Billings' direct running all afternoon, and with 10 minutes left he brushed three attempted tacklers aside to plunge under the posts and clinch Silsden's win.

But this was far from a one-man show. Centre Mark Adams turned in a vintage performance to claim the Man of the Match award, and he was pushed all the way by elusive stand off Pat Illingworth. Silsden could also boast an awesome front row of Jim Coldwell, Tony Williams and Bob Harrison and there were vital contributions too from backs Dave Arnold and Phil Lane.

Silsden opened the scoring with an Adams penalty, before great running by the same player and Williams created the position for their first try. Paul Sinfield's intelligent chip kick caused panic in the home defence, and enabled Alan Preston to show a fine turn of pace an a cool head to hack on and score. Adams landed a brilliant touchline conversion to put Rangers 8 - 0 ahead.

Brighouse took full advantage to claim a converted try when Silsden went to sleep for the first and only time in the game, but the Cobbydalers almost re-established their lead shortly afterwards. Full back Mark Kent was desperately unlucky to loose the ball on the line after a stunning Neil Jordan break and crisp handling from Arnold.

Silsden had to settle for 8 - 6 at the break and the second half turned into a typically hard fought cup tie. Illingworth and strong running Mark Claydon both went close to scoring while at the other end Kent, Sinfield and Coldwell all pulled off critical tackles to prevent tries. Brighouse broke the second half deadlock with a drop goal, before another Sinfield kick forced them into an error in their own 22, allowing Billing to produce his party piece. Adams' conversion completed the scoring, although Rob Leighton almost crowned an impressive outing with a try in the last minute, but was halted just short.

Coach Graeme Sheffield was delighted by the effort and commitment displayed by his team and confidence will be sky high for tomorrow's (Saturday) league trip to Almondbury Lions (kick off 2pm)

Worth Village 30

Sowerby Bridge Robins 22

VILLAGE got their first win in the Premier League after coming back from a 16-0 scoreline after only 20 minutes. With prop forward captain Darren Lynam leading his side with a man of the match display, well supported by fellow prop Steve Boocock. Just before half-time the hard working Damien Summerscales scored the first try.

In the second half Village scored a further six tries with the best coming from Richard Curtain, scoring an 80-yard winger's try, beating the cover to score in the corner. Steve Boocock who used his speed to score under the posts, goaled by Wayne McComb, who also scored the next try with a jinking run to the corner to snatch an 18-16 lead. Sowerby came back with a well worked try to pull ahead 18-22.

Lynam scored the next try after good work by Andrew Backo and Billy Davey to put him in at the corner and level the scores. In an end to end game Village took the lead with Rick Curtain going in at the corner. With Sowerby pressing Village broke away with Martin Harrison and McNulty putting full back Pat Nicholson in at the corner, 30-22.

Tomorrow they meet Underbank Rangers at Marley ko 2pm.

Keighley Celtic 36

Slaithwaite 0

IT took celtic half the match to settle down and pull off this convincing win against bottom of the table Slaithwaite Saracens.

After going to the break with an 8-0 lead, Celtic then stamped their dominance on the game.

Marples was back to his old form scoring three, with Fudge and Egan being rewarded for their hard running with a try apiece. S Underwood pulled one back after failing to ground one in the first half. Kennedy and Brookes shared the kicking with three each.

It was a classic game where Celtics forwards dominated on defence slowing their backs to open up out wide on the turn over. It was Fudge's deep running that set this platform for Marples and S Underwood. Egan scored his after some good forward pressure forced the error and allowed him to pick up the loose ball and race in from 40 yards.

Saracens never gave up and put some heavy pressure on Celtic's line in the last ten minutes but the defence held to keep them out and keep them down to zero.

Keighley Albion 4

Blackbrook 44

Keighley Albion's troubles continue as they crashed at home to St Helens' side Blackbrook.

The locals were missing several key players due to suspensions, work commitments and injuries, and the visitors showed little mercy as they ran in nine tries.

Albion's only score came from a well taken effort by winger Neil Earnshaw to claim his first touchdown in the Conference League.

Coach Gary Moorby's problems continued with injuries to poowerful pop Ian Spencer (ribs) and fellow prop Glen Palmer, who received an horrendous head injury which required nine stitches.

"Things are certainly not going our way at the moment," Moorby said. "We had four players in the squad that played for the second team the night before at Dudley Hill, Bobby Brown, Paul Moses, John Wood and Danny Seaton. We are learning the hard way in the Conference, be we will keep going."

This weekend they travel to York Acorn.

n An 11-man Worth Village A team made unbeaten Elland A work hard for victory -- despite playing without wingers.

They kept a clean sheet for 15 minutes, but Elland started to find the gaps to score in the corner. Baker and McNulty were working well, setting up runs for man of the match Keith Holmes, McAndrew and McSherry.

The Village lads were working overtime in defence with Darren Wood top tackler in his debut at full back.

Elland increased the lead after a high kick was held up in the wind. Dangerous runs from Lee Birkett and Mark Hutton sent Village onto the attack with Keith Holmes carrying three defenders over to touch down, McNulty goaled.

Elland scored tries each side of the break and four substitutes gave them fresh legs against a tiring Village outfit.

Adam Greenwood won the ball against the head in his new role at hooker allowing Birket to lay the ball off to Mark Westfall who scored in the corner.

Dudley Hill Eagles 32

Keighley Albion 'A' 22

The Albion second string travelled to Dudley Hill for this Pennine Cup match aware that Eagles were two divisions above them.

In the first ten minutes Albion allowed the home side too in for two tries before starting to play some good attacking rugby themselves, but conceded a late try to make the score 16-0 at the break.

The second half started badly for Albion with Dudley Hill running in a soft try. This however proved to be the catalyst the Keighley side needed and a Gary Baxter break and kick gave John Woods the opportunity to dive over. Shortly after Bobby Brown dived over and Danny Bowness added the kick to bring the scores within range. Another try from Brown plus a Bowness conversion put Albion within four points.

Unfortunately Dudley Hill counter-attacked and extended the lead again and though a Tommy Haughey try and Bowness conversion put Albion back in it all hopes were killed off by a final Dudley Hill try.

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