CLAYTON remain top of Pennine League Division Three West – despite a 14-8 defeat at Brighouse Rangers, who narrowed the gap to two points in the fight for the title.

Try-scorers for Clayton were Ryan Wilkinson and Philip Redgrave while young scrum half Devon Gurney was man of the match, although evergreen John Parkinson gave another impressive performance.

After the previous week's heroic knockout victory, coach Scott Pendlebury admitted to being somewhat disappointed by the result, but the thought of a cup final appearance in May gives him something to work on in the weeks ahead.

In Division Four West, Wyke A coach Daniel Barraclough will have been extremely pleased with his charges, who demolished hosts Cowling Harlequins 74-16.

The second string's try-scorers were Kieran Helliwell (3), Stevie Richardson (2), Phil Oliver (2), James Cullen (2), Marc Goodwin, Gary Worley, Jordan Longbottom and Scott Liam Watson.

Wyke's win allowed them to extend their points difference in their attempt to stay clear of the drop zone.

Birkenshaw kept up the pressure on the top two thanks to a 48-12 win over King Cross Park A.