Sam's the man as Odsal Sedbergh boost promotion hopes (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Sam's the man as Odsal Sedbergh boost Pennine League promotion hopes

4:50pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in Sport By Jack Strother

A late try from Odsal Sedbergh hero Sam Greenwood ensured a 24-19 home victory against Pontefract Sports & Social Club to keep them well in the hunt for a Pennine League Division Three promotion spot.

Sedge were behind 12-10 at half-time and, despite touchdowns from Chris Walsh, Lee Birkett, James Sharp and Alastair James, they found themselves in trouble, trailing 19-18 with minutes to go before Greenwood stepped up to the plate to put the result beyond doubt.

Birkenshaw also came up trumps 20-10 in their Division One clash against second-in-the-table Upton.

Birky raced into a 12-0 interval lead following tries from Karl Robinson and Craig Morley, both converted by Simon Lindsay.

Upton retaliated, despite a further touchdown from Robinson, to edge close at 16-10 before packman Beniot Rodgers settled home nerves with a late strike that ensured the points to keep Birky well in touch with the leading pack in fourth place.

West Bowling posted a sparkling 46-10 success at New Earswick All Blacks to keep them well on course for the Championship Division crown.

Captain and loose forward Richard Lumb led by example with two first-half tries, and he was ably supported by further efforts from stand-off Max Trueman and wingman William Forsyth.

Scrum half Ben Heald added four conversions and another solo try to leave West’s completely in control at 28-0 at the break.

The York-based hosts enjoyed a brief flurry before normal service was resumed with Heald over for his brace, soon followed by packman Ben Cousen, centre Jack Dawson and substitute Kieran McAvoy.

Queensbury suffered a major blow to their Premier Division survival chances with a 10-8 defeat at bottom-of-the-table Dewsbury Moor.

All is not lost, however, following main rivals Thornhill coming a cropper at Wibsey but Bury did not do themselves justice with only tries from Billy Naylor and Rob Nagy to show for their labours.