West Bowling 46, Wyke 20

LOOSE forward Richard Lumb posted a key hat-trick to fire West Bowling into the semi-finals of the Jack Senior Memorial Bradford Cup at the expense of plucky Wyke at Emsley's Rec.

Bowling showed their Pennine League top-flight quality in a blistering opening in which the redoubtable Lumb crossed at the side of the posts before the black and whites had touched the ball.

A penalty for obstruction paved the way for prop forward Nat Light to add to the total before a 40-metre break by stand-off Barry McShera brought the visitors a modicum of relief.

Yet it was only a brief interlude as West's roared downfield for second-row forward Olly Bartle to produce a neat offload that enabled full back Adam Reardon to plant the ball on the chalk, leaving scrum half Ben Heald to add his third conversion in a 18-0 lead.

Wyke could have been excused for believing they were on course for a walloping. But a determined drive from resolute hooker Shaun Godfrey set up field position for centre John Rayner to dive over in the corner, with substitute forward Mick Wormald adding the touchline extras.

They pegged back the score further on the restart when centre Ryan Exley won a foot race from the kick-off but Bowling reacted instantly with a barnstorming plunge from packman Jack Milburn to restore their margin.

The black and whites caught the hosts napping once again by collecting from the restart to put Rayner in for his brace – and the mini revival continued when full back Tim Stones joined the line to make an extra man for a touchdown to close the gap to 24-20.

But any thoughts of a giant-killing were dispelled when Lumb thundered under the sticks, soon followed by another effort from stand-off Max Trueman by means of a double side-step to the whitewash.

A clever six-pass interchange gave Lumb his hat-trick and Reardon, who had taken over the kicking duties, added his third goal to the total.

Wyke, who had given their all, were running on empty when Trueman dodged and danced to create the last try for centre Ross Walker.

This left referee Carl Nagy, who never put a foot wrong all afternoon, to blow the final whistle and ensure Bowling a trip to Victoria Rangers next week to decide who will contest the final at Odsal in April.