West Bowling battled valiantly at home to Premier Division leaders Hunslet Old Boys before going down 40-20 in the Pennine League.

Hunslet were a tough proposition but by the hour mark the hosts were still in it at 24-16 down thanks to two tries from winger Jordan Laban and a smart finish by centre Jason Marshall.

Scrum half Adam Reardon also made the scoresheet but the Old Boys proved too powerful for Bowling in the end.

Marshall picked up the man of the match award for a sterling display.

Wibsey Warriors beat visiting Keighley quite comfortably 44-26. Nick Fontaine was the stand-out player as he helped himself to four tries, while James Mann, Todd Carter, CJ Vogel and Mark Darragh added one a piece.

Luke Helliwell was named man of the match as Jason Hirst’s men climbed further away from the drop zone ahead of their next game at strugglers Halifax Irish.

Birkenshaw secured a fine 38-24 home victory over St Josephs which sees them remain safely in mid-table in Championship One.

Clayton’s difficult season in Division Two continued as they were beaten 48-0 at Crigglestone-Kettlethorpe, leaving them isolated in last place.

Defences were clearly on top in the big Division Seven derby at Queensbury B as Odsal Sedbergh A edged it 6-0. A solitary try from hooker Robert Booth proved the deciding factor.

Bottom side Wyke A were too strong for Allerton Bywater A as they ran out 30-18 winners. Mark O’Connor pipped fellow scorer Tim Stones for the man of the match honours.