WEST Bowling have moved nine points clear in the Bradford Sunday Alliance League Premier Division after a 5-1 victory over Bradford Phoenix that highlighted their passing game.

Playing with an unfamiliar back four, the leaders soon got into their stride and got the opening goal after 15 minutes.

Josh Milner crossed into the box and James Grogan back-heeled the ball into the path of Bowling's leading scorer Glyn Hirst, who scored from close range.

Phoenix were packing their defence and it took a while for Bowling to break them down again.

A high ball into the box was bravely challenged for by Hirst and fell nicely for Milner to hammer the ball into the net Michael O'Brien made a solo run into the box before slipping the ball inside for Hirst to score his second goal, and a one-two between Steven Bargh and O'Brien led to a cross being put away by Hirst, who thus not only notched a hat-trick but became the Premier Division's leading scorer.

The second half started with Phoenix hitting Bowling on the break, Shuaib Olanrewaju finding himself one on one with the home keeper and making no mistake.

But after 57 minutes, Bowling struck again, O'Brien combining with Jordon Hagyard to make a opening for Milner, who bent his shot into the bottom corner.

Sandy Lane are up to third after a 2-1 home victory over mid-table Allerton.

Lane were leading by the only goal of the match at the break against Allerton and continued with a good second-half performance, with Stuart Cotterill and Mathew Cavanagh being on the mark for the winners.

Thornbury Celtic won a thriller 4-3 at Myra Shay against a good Ventus United team, with Hassan Ali getting a brace for the winners.

Tariq Hussain and Robert McDonald were also on the mark for the victors, with a Billy Summers double and Thomas Briggs replying for the visitors.

In the First Division, an Arran Basi brace and strikes by Mark Buckenham and Anthony Busfield were enough to keep Lyceum on course for promotion after a 4-0 victory over second-placed Prospect, who dropped two spots as a result of the defeat.

Swaine Green are up to third position after a good 3-1 win at Wyke Rangers thanks to strikes by Talent Ndovu, Elliott Holmes and Andrew Phipp.

In Division 1A, Queensbury had a 5-1 over local rivals Clayton Village Sports & Social at Foxhill Park, with Lewis Forsythe hitting four and Adam Renard also being on the mark for the hosts.

Joe Cullen replied for the visitors.

At Avenue Road, YMCC won by the only goal of the match against Eccleshill United, with Patrick Husarz on the mark.

Eastward continue in pole position in Division 2A, their 4-2 victory over Bankfoot Lions at Avenue Road being their latest triumph.

Michael Avery and Ben Norde scored for the Lions but a brace from the leaders' Callum Brewster and further strikes from Carl Roberts and substitute John Selby left Eastward four points clear at the top.

In Division 2B, the top two clashed at Peel Park and Parry Lane moved two points clear of opponents Fairweather Green following a 5-2 victory.