West Bowling 20 Queens 8

A superlative pack performance led by second row forward Richard Lumb paved the way for an impressive West Bowling win over Queens at Emsleys Rec.

Queens, who are a very skilful and at times a very physical outfit, had full back Aaron Henry in the sin-bin early doors when he took out Wests’ loose forward Adam Reardon off the ball.

The hosts took a tap and run from the penalty and Lumb powered over at the side of the sticks to leave scrum half Liam Coe a simple conversion.

Bowling should have increased their advantage when full back Liam Darville cut inside with two men clear on his outside.

The visitors were then reduced further in numbers when second row forward Carl Luke was sent off for flooring Wests prop Connor Wood with his elbow.

The Leeds-based side made light of their disadvantage by hoisting a cross-field kick out wide, leaving substitute Will Haworth to cross for an unconverted effort.

Bowling hit back with a number of sweeping raids, one seeing centre Jack Dawson recalled for a forward pass as he galloped his way clear to the whitewash.

Queens, however, struck once more against the run of play to put wingman Karl Taylor in at the corner for an 8-6 half-time lead.

Wests forwards Lumb and Adam Reardon were held up over the line on the restart before Steward took a Lumb offload to edge them back in front 10-8.

The visitors then laid siege in the home red zone, with only some desperate and at times telling defence keeping them at bay.

As so often happens, the match swung in Bowling’s favour when they breached the blockade and a long Coe pass enabled wingman James Crabb to sprint over at the flag.

At 14-8 the match was still in the melting pot, with the menacing Queens still very much in the hunt, but the final act of what had been an enthralling encounter came with a touch of class with two minutes left on the clock.

Young centre Ethan Ryan, who looks to be a great prospect, made space on the touchline side. He used his wingman as a foil and sold a brilliant dummy to race 40 metres under the posts.

Coe added the extras to end the match with room to spare.