West Bowling 29, Wigan St Patricks 0

Relegation-haunted West Bowling turned the formbook completely on its head to outplay National Conference League Premier Division title contenders Wigan St Patricks at the Bankfoot Oval.

West started like terriers from the off and quickly gained a foothold in the visiting red zone to set up a slide-rule kick behind the defence on the last tackle.

The panicking St Pats cover failed to clear and centre Trevor Stead pounced for the opener, unfortunately too far out for wingman Lee Innes to convert.

A sweeping crossfield run nearly saw wingman Ben Whyte over in the corner and, when the ball was switched infield, substitute prop Danny Murgatroyd was held short of the posts.

A smart dummy and shimmy from quick-thinking teenage scrum half Sam Whitehouse ensured just reward, leaving Innes to slot over the extras for 10-0.

The classy visitors must have wondered what had happened to transform the team they beat 68-16 earlier in the season when stand-off Adie Leek - easily the best player on the park - crossed after a blistering passing move.

Innes added the extras and Bowling collected the kick off to power downfield with the visitors reeling.

The impeccable Leek put over a short kick to hack on twice, and when the ball reached the chalk centre Gavin Buckley was perfectly positioned to dive on it.

Innes hoisted the conversion to put West into the sheads 22-0 up against a side whose average score is 30 points a game.

Bowling were expecting St Pats to come out all guns blazing, and they were not disappointed, having to defend their line like Trojans in the third quarter.

Their swarming cover-tackling proved effective, with every man jack playing his part as the unthinkable scenario began to emerge - that the visitors could fail to score for the first time in over ten years.

Hooker Nathan Hadfield was held up over the line but substitute half-back Mark Dunning carved out a chance for young packman Ross Simpson to power over for his first try at senior level.

Innes coolly landed another kick and Leek rubbed further salt into the wound with a drop goal in front of the uprights.