CLAYTON had the misfortune to find Division Two Central leaders Oulton Raiders in top form as they lost by a hefty 52-12 margin in the Pennine League.

This was despite scoring the best try of the game on their visit to take on the unbeaten pace-setters.

The Villagers gave the hosts a good run for their money, with an early touchdown by Sam Wainwright from his own grubber kick a gallant contribution in a competitive first stanza.

The Raiders led 18-4 at the interval after enjoying the luxury of two long-range interceptions from stand-off Dom Flanagan to massage their tally.

The second half saw Oulton's clinical finishing take centre stage – but Clayton stuck to their task, with Brandon Godward making the chalk.

Then a sweeping passing move involving Devon Gurney, Jamie Waterman and Johnny Alderson paved the way for Matt Baldwin to hand on to prop forward Luke Harps, who sprinted over the whitewash in style.

Other scorers for the home side included Josh Murray, Ryan York, Conner Dunbar, Stephen Soar and teenage winger Jake Woods.

It was a fifth defeat of the season for Clayton, who next travel to face Birkenshaw Blue Dogs, while Oulton look to make it 11 wins from 11 as they visit Eastmoor Dragons.

Queensbury also had a bad day at the coalface, suffering a surprise 40-16 defeat at Wortley Dragons after making the journey with a young and inexperienced outfit.

The visitors looked to be on song for the spoils when stand-off Jordan Brown intercepted a wayward pass on his own line to race the length of the field to the sticks, leaving Robson Moore an easy conversion.

The heavy conditions then took their toll on Queensbury's stamina, allowing the heavy Dragons pack to take a stranglehold on the game which they never relinquished.

This was despite further blue and white tries from Joel Charlton and Callum Murgatroyd, although their cause was hampered by the dismissal of speedy wingman Stu Rubery for dissent after a disputed yellow card.

Brighouse Rangers' unbeaten three-match Championship Division run came grinding to a halt with a 24-12 defeat at local rivals Siddal.

Rangers still retain third place, level on points with Queens in second, with both teams now trailing undefeated leaders Ovenden by eight points with a game in hand.