West Bowling 42, Shaw Cross Sharks 0

West Bowling continued their impressive return to form with an emphatic defeat of Shaw Cross Sharks.

Coach Ricky Helliwell will have been impressed with his side’s tough defence and powerful running style that saw them render the Sharks totally toothless.

The early exchanges were tight, with both sides effectively completing their sets, and it wasn’t until the 15th minute that the deadlock was broken.

Scrum half Sha Basha created the gap for centre Gareth Buckley to stride through and the supporting Ady Leek was able to canter to the posts. Damian Smith added the extras to give Bowling a 6-0 lead.

The home side then muscled up well as the Sharks hammered their defensive line.

It was 10-0 on 28 minutes when a fantastic reverse pass from Leek allowed Tim Lumb to break the visitors’ defence and he was able to put fullback Gareth Cullington over for a classy try. Smith once more tagged on the goal to extend the lead to 12-0.

With half-time approaching, Bowling were awarded a penalty for a ball-steal which allowed Smith to edge the home side further in front.

Bowling started off the second half in barn-storming fashion when forward Phil Chappell barged his way through numerous would-be tacklers but couldn’t retain possession as he dived over under the posts.

However, it wasn’t long before Bowling were in full control when stand-off Todd Carter collected a Leek up-and-under to step his way over to make it 18-0.

The game was effectively over five minutes later when Carter sold a dummy and dived over to double his tally, Smith adding the extras.

Bowling forwards Nigel Halmshaw and Phil Chapp-ell were causing havoc – a 40-yard cover tackle from Halmshaw to prevent a certain try demonstrating the will to win in their ranks.

The home side then turned the screw further as first Smith helped himself to a try before Leek capped a fine performance with his second thanks to an exchange of passes with Basha.

It was left to Smith to round off the scoring with his second to cap off an emphatic success.