BRADFORD have gained promotion in their first season in the Federation League.

The Stoneywood Ltd-backed team, needing 12 points to confirm their rise, defeated UK Police 23-9 in their final group game.

Spen Victoria hosted the home tie, and Bradford got off to the perfect start with the first four winners, Scott Sansom (Asa Briggs) being the pick of them with a 21-7.

Bradford held a 36-point advantage after four jacks and, although UK Police hit back in the middle four jacks with three winners, the overall aggregate was extended to 43 points thanks to Andy Southwell (Asa Briggs) with a 21-2. The home side finished with three more winners, with another man-of-the-match performance from Jordan Brown (Wibsey) 21-3, who again proved that he can play at a much higher level.

Bradford triumphed 10-4, taking the aggregate by 55 chalks, while the away team were at the impressive Washlands Sports at Burton-on-Trent.

Kevin Wood (Shipley Club) managed an early 21-6 win against an injured opponent, and when Trevor Benn (Wyke) carded a well-earned 21-13, Bradford led by nine chalks.

Another two winners in the middle four kept Bradford in the game, although UK Police turned the aggregate around to lead by five chalks.

Neil Tordoff (Wyke) produced a great 21-5 at No 12 and, with another two close winners, Bradford edged the aggregate by 14 chalks to secure a 9-5 win and an overall 23-9 success.

Bradford now have a play-off match against Fylde B on Sunday, August 21, with the winners progressing to the end of season Champion of Champions.

Teams will be selected next week.

Scores from Spen Victoria (Bradford names first): Tony Throup (Spen Victoria) 21 Dave Smith 14, Paul Gill (Clayton) 21 Paul Richmond 15, Richard Bloodworth (Ladyhill) 21 David Burns 12, Scott Sansom (Asa Briggs) 21 Barbara Jones 7, Andrew Fowler (Clayton) 16 Adrian Adams 21, Chris Ellis (Spen Victoria) 20 Gary Davies 21, Ashley Southwell (Asa Briggs) 15 Steve Lowther 21, Andy Southwell (Asa Briggs) 21 Malcolm Jones 2, Jordan Brown (Wibsey) 21 Carol Davis 3, Alan Mazurke (Littlemoor) 21 Ernie Briddon 20, Andrew Heenan (Asa Briggs) 21 Mick Spencer 20, Paul Kaye (Clayton) 4 Kevin Burns 21. Bradford 223 (10) UK Police 168 (4).

Scores from Washlands Sports (Bradford names first): Paul Wilczynski (Shipley Club) 17 Dave Scriven 21, Tracy Preston (Shipley Club) 11 Keith Wharmby 21, Kevin Wood (Shipley Club) 21 Steve Bailey 6, Trevor Benn (Wyke) 21 Tom Hinton 13, Graham Baggley (Shipley Club) 21 Jordan Hind 19, Bob Wilkinson (Wyke) 13 Danny Statham 21, Lisa Rice (Pudsey) 9 Paul Bradley 21, Mark Cunningham (Shipley Club) 21 Mick Hinton 17, Peter Ellis (Spen Victoria) 20 Andy Hinton 21, Andy Wood (Akroydon Victoria) 21 Steve Rogers 20, John Preston (Shipley Club) 21 Peter Cookson 18, Neil Tordoff (Wyke) 21 Mac Bradley 5. Bradford 217 (9) UK Police 203 (5).

Aire Wharfe A were also in Federation action, losing 18-14 against Leeds A.

In the home match at Rufford, Aire Wharfe carded seven winners, with Joe Stockdale (Guiseley) 21-5 the pick of them as Aire Wharfe won by 28 chalks.

In the away match at Tadcaster, the visitors carded five winners from the first eight jacks to lead by a single chalk, only for Leeds to take the last four games to win the aggregate by 30, and win overall by just two chalks.

Both teams will still feel they have a chance of winning the Division One title, although Leeds look like favourites as they finish Fylde A, with Aire Wharfe A playing Halifax, who also have a chance of becoming champions.

Scores from Rufford (Aire Wharfe names first): Joe Stockdale (Guiseley) 21 Andy Ford 5, Gary Wike (Pudsey) 20 Jon Wood 21, Luke Teale (Guiseley) 16 James Wilcox 21, Ryan Benson (Rufford) 21 Chris Firth 13, Tom Lawrence (Pudsey) 21 Rob Lloyd 11, Graham Oliver (Guiseley) 13 Rachel Quirk 21, John Benson (Rufford) 21 Ian Howard 16, Gary Whelan (Guiseley) 21 Mark Brain 14, Ian Matthews (Greengates) 15 Gareth Lally 21, Richard Lawrence (Rawdon) 21 Ian Vickers 15, Andy Wood (Woodside) 12 Mark Hughes 21, Richard Stockdale (Guiseley) 21 Kieren Smith 16. Aire Wharfe A 223 (9) Leeds A 195 (5).

Scores from Tadcaster (Aire Wharfe names first): Chris Daysh (Meanwood) 21 Harry Seehra 19, Barry Turnbull (Ilkley) 10 Graham Frankin 21, Dan Carter (Tarnfield) 21 Bob Whitfield 20, Dan Beardsworth (Pudsey) 11 Jon Schofield 21, David Upton (Myrtle) 21 Kristian Walder 21, Daniel Teale (Rufford) 21 Ira Jeffers 9, Andy Hodgson (Pudsey) 8 Mark Taylor 21, James Teale (Rufford) 21 Adam Ward 4, Mark Barker (Myrtle) 10 Kevin Siddle 21, Helen Gilroy (Rufford) 15 Mark Allman 21, Nick Bastow (Guiseley) 17 Ian Brine 21, Neil Nicholson (Farsley) 10 Simon Walder 21. Aire Wharfe A 186 (5) Leeds A 216 (9).