Lights go out on Hill's promotion bid

3:06pm Thursday 17th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Bradford Dudley Hill, still reeling from last night's 18-8 defeat at Thatto Heath in National Conference League Division One, are at home to BARLA Ace Insurance National Cup finalists Wath Brow Hornets on Saturday.

Hill looked to be well on the road to securing another win in their Premier Division quest following an Alex Dickinson try and two goals from scrum half Tony Williams.

Just before half-time, with Hill leading 8-4, the game looked to be in jeopardy when a bank of floodlights failed but normal service soon resumed and Thatto proved to be stronger in the second stanza to steal the points.

Hill are effectively out of the Division One promotion hunt and only a succession of unlikely results by their rivals, which includes the visiting Wath Brow, will turn the tide.

The deduction of two points for registration errors will prove to be the turning point of what has been a splendid season, but coach Paul Baxter will urge his troops to make sure the Cumbrian visitors face a Hill side determined to finish off in style.