Bradford Dudley Hill 16, Thatto Heath 22

Dudley Hill gave Division One leaders Thatto Heath Crusaders their toughest National Conference League test yet but were unable to take the points.

Hill could and should have won but a lack of discipline eventually told as they saw three players dispatched to the sin-bin for various indiscretions.

The hosts began well when Thatto were penalised for a head-high tackle and stand-off Danny Thomas’ kick gave them the lead.

But a subsequent mistake gave Thatto possession and they quickly swept the ball from left to right before centre David Johnson nipped in at the corner for a 4-2 lead.

Things got worse for Hill when stand-off Andy Stott dummied his way over next to the posts for a converted try.

But the Bradford side responded within minutes when winger Dwaine Nelson picked up a loose ball and dived over.

The half-hour mark saw Hill’s first sin-binning as Dale Lee was sent to the dugout for obstructing play – but it was Hill who surprisingly took the initiative.

A break by Tony Williams found winger Jamie Brentley in support and he crashed over. The conversion fell short, leaving the sides locked at 10-10.

Thatto hit back when full back Darren Woods collected a kick to dive over but a penalty for a head-high tackle allowed Williams to cut Thatto’s lead to two points.

Hill started the second half in determined mood and took the lead when a sweeping move found full back Craig Tyman, who scampered over for the try.

The game then started to overheat as Hill lost another player to the sin-bin following a bust-up and Thatto had a man knocked out in a bone-crunching tackle that meant the game was halted for some time.

With both sides looking to land the decisive blow, it was Woods who popped up again to outpace the Hill defence and score under the posts.

Numerous penalties followed, allowing Thatto to stretch their final advantage.

Hill battled hard and may have snatched a draw if Liam Jordan had collected Thomas’ pass close to the line.

But when prop Lee O’Connor became the third Hill player to see yellow, any chance of a point was gone.