Victoria Rangers 14 West Leeds 28

VICTORIA Rangers could not overcome the resolute defence of unbeaten Pennine League Division One pacesetters West Leeds in the top-of-the-table clash at the Eccleshill Oval.

The Vics made a pedestrian start and quickly found themselves ten points in arrears in as many minutes against the skilful visitors.

Hooker Isaac Brown instigated the fightback when he reached the whitewash, leaving scrum half Aiden Scully to add the extras.

With the momentum now in the Vics favour, second-row forward Joe Bell, who put in a tremendous all-round performance, pounced on a mistake to power his way over to level the scores at 10-10.

The home hopes soared when England international stand-off Nathan Kitson made the chalk just before the interval to see Rangers hit the front for a well-earned 14-10 half-time lead.

The home expectations nose-dived on the restart when the Leeds side cut loose, taking advantage of a plethora of penalties in their favour and a lack of ball control from the Rangers. They registered three converted tries to sew up the game comfortably.

Vics prop Luke Harps, however, was unlucky to finish on the losing side with a non-stop display that matched his fellow pack man Bell but it was the Leeds side who called all the shots to register an invaluable away victory which could prove crucial in the weeks to come.