BRADFORD Dudley Hill made it two straight wins in the Kingstone Press National Conference League Division One – not that you would have noticed it in the changing room afterwards.

“The mood was fairly downbeat,” admitted Hill’s team manager Steve Wright after their 40-28 home victory over bottom-of-the-table Shaw Cross Sharks.

“We led 34-6 at half-time but only got into their half twice after that.

“One of those was when Seb Russo scored a try and another was when he made a break and an Aiden Batey try was ruled out for a forward pass.

“It was a very disciplined and structured effort in the first half, but in the second half we tried our best to throw the match away, although Shaw Cross deserve a lot of credit for their defence.”

Hill, who have climbed above Ince Rose Bridge into third from bottom, made a fine start, with second row and man of the match Alex Dickinson going over in the second minute, winger Neil Wall adding the extras.

Further tries followed for second row Elliott Cousins, hooker Ryan Dickinson and centre Lewis Evans as Hill stretched their advantage to 18-0 by the 13th minute, but winger Thomas Stucky’s try three minutes later, which was improved by loose forward Ryan Chalkley, was only a temporary setback for the hosts.

Stand-off Luke Johnson and winger Damian Smith (2) took the try tally to seven by the 35th minute, with two Wall goals making it 34-6.

However, the second half was a different story, and tries for Shaw Cross’ man of the match Chalkley, centre Joe Halloran and winger Nathan Wright (2), with Chalkley adding three goals, made the scoreline much more respectable for Sharks.

Hill, who thus backed up their home win over Oulton Raiders, must have been grateful that Russo went over a minute after the hour against Sharks, with interchange Simon Sewell adding the goal, otherwise the second half could have been much more tense.

West Bowling, who have this weekend off, were also in derby action in Division Two, and led 8-0 at leaders Stanningley before red and yellow cards contributed to a 44-16 defeat for the visitors.

In Yorkshire Men’s League Division Two, Odsal Sedbergh made home advantage count with a 30-16 victory over Huddersfield-based Newsome Panthers, who have played three, lost three.

Home tries came from Danny Terry, Josh Tordoff, Nathan Merchant, Josh Briggs and Zain Butt, whose first try for the club ended with a flamboyant dive.

Tom Hainsworth (2), Oliver Beever, John Farr, Andrew Robinson and Callum Murgatroyd crossed for Queensbury in their 24-18 home win over Skirlaugh Bulls in Division One.