Defence wins the day for ring-rusty Harriers (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Defence wins the day for ring-rusty Bank Top Harriers

4:20pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport

A penalty goal 15 minutes from time by stand-off Adam Mitchell earned Bank Top Harriers a hard-fought 20-18 victory in the third round of the Pennine President's Cup at Westgate Wolves.

Centre Jason Gelder posted a first-half touchdown and Mitchell added the extras to put the ring- rusty Harriers 12-6 behind at the interval.

Further converted tries from Craig French and Finn Lamont put Bank Top level at 18-18 before Mitchell struck with his fourth successful kick, setting the scene for a hectic finish in which Harriers' strong defence won the day.

Wibsey Warriors were justifiably rewarded a berth in the quarter-finals of the BARLA National Cup following a 16-10 home win over Premier Division rivals Thornhill Trojans.

Yorkshire prop Chris Vogel made the whitewash and scrum half Simon Sewell slotted the conversion in a first stanza that saw the Trojans out in front at 10-6.

Thornhill were reduced in numbers when packman Anthony Broadhead was sent off for dissent, and Wibsey loose forward Henry Hall took advantage of the extra man to reach the chalk, leaving Sewell the chance to add his brace.

Centre Nick Fontaine crossed for the game-breaker with five minutes to go to ensure another home outing against Dalton on Saturday, March 23.

Queensbury believe that the 26-6 Pennine League Premier Division scoreline at Slaithwaite Saracens was a travesty.

The Huddersfield hosts did not open their account until shortly before half-time with a six pointer, and it was anyone’s match at 8-6 after an excellent Billy Naylor touchdown converted by Scott Swann on the hour.

However, two late Saracens interceptions tries put paid to Bury’s commendable efforts.

Championship title-chasers West Bowling gave bottom-of-the-table St Joseph's a 46-8 roasting at Fartown.

Full back Gareth Cullington (2), stand-off Liam Darville (2), wingman Will Forsyth (2), prop Chris Anderson, hooker Brett Greenwood and old-timer Ady Leek reached the whitewash. leaving scrum half Ben Heald to add five extras.

Birkenshaw made it five Division One wins on the trot with a 40-20 triumph at Newsome Panthers.

Alan Binns, Chris Clough, Karl Robinson and Tom Duff posted solo efforts but the star of the show was full back Ben Nabozny with a hat-trick.

Odsal Sedbergh lost their top-of-the-table Division Three clash against visitors West Leeds 28-18.

Sedge went 10-0 up following tries from Luke Sellers and Oliver Priestley before the table-toppers edged 18-10 in front on the hour.

Centre Johnny Ward made it all square before two late touchdowns scuppered their expectations.

In Division Six, West Bowling A beat Rodley Rockets 42-20 with tries from Scott Smith, Karl Spring, Phil Munro, Ross Walker, Max Trueman, Reece Salt, Nathan Marshall and Alex Sweeney.