BRADFORD remain unbeaten in Division Five of the Federation, but only by the skin of their teeth after a 19-13 win over Menai.

In the home match at Wibsey Park, the hosts made a disastrous start as Menai carded three out of the first four games to lead by 22 chalks.

The recovery started with Andy Denton (Asa Briggs) 21-5 and Matthew Jacques (Shipley Club) 21-9 as Bradford led by just one chalk after eight jacks.

But Bradford carded three of the last four games, with Ian Jacques (Shipley Club) the pick of the winners with a 21-13 as they took the home match 9-5, winning the aggregate by just 12 chalks.

In the away match at Bangor City, Bradford made a better start, although they trailed by eight chalks after sharing the first four games.

The next four were also shared, although the aggregate was now tied, thanks to Spen’s Chris Ellis 21-15 and Peter Ellis 21-16.

Bradford knew that the overall aggregate was going to be close heading into the last four games, and when Gary Walker (Spen Victoria) edged home 21-20 and Neil Tordoff (Wyke) came off with a 21-17 success, Bradford had taken the overall aggregate by just nine chalks, despite losing the away aggregate by just three chalks.

It’s still all to play for heading into the last round of fixtures on Sunday, August 20 as unbeaten Bradford, who start with a five-point advantage, play Leeds B.

Menai, nine points behind Bradford, take on Warrington, with all four teams in with a chance of promotion.

Scores from home match (at Wibsey Park): Ashley Southwell (Asa Briggs) 9 Geraint Booth 21, Scott Bloodworth (Ladyhill Park) 13 Gavin Davies 21, Andrew Fowler (Clayton) 15 John Evans 21, Tony Throup (Spen Victoria) 21 Dylan Williams 17, Matthew Jacques (Shipley Club) 21 Sion Roberts 9, Richard Bloodworth (Ladyhill Park) 7 John Short 21, Andy Denton (Asa Briggs) 21 Derek Stanley 5, Chris Wilson (Clayton) 21 Gareth Hughes 12, Joe Bray (Clayton) 21 John Glyn Davies 17, David Southwell (Wibsey Park) 21 Andrew Stanley 18, Ian Jacques (Shipley Club) 21 Ken Parry 13, Paul Gill (Clayton) 17 Dave Williams 21. Bradford 208 (9) Menai 196 (5).

Scores from away match (at Bangor City): Paul Wilczynski (Shipley Club) 19 Barry Harris 21, Ian Gould (Spen Victoria) 21 Glyn Roberts 17, Myles Summers (Clayton) 21 Adam Harris 16, Kevin Wood (Spen Victoria) 6 Hefin Jones 21, Graham Baggley (Shipley Club) 19 Ryan Short 21, Jordan Brown (Asa Briggs) 20 Arfon Jones 21, Chris Ellis (Spen Victoria) 21 Eiddion Jones 15, Peter Ellis (Spen Victoria) 21 Kevin Bebbington 16, Gary Walker (Spen Victoria) 21 Wil Jones 20, Mark Cunningham (Shipley Club) 18 Elfyn Jones 21, Andrew Wood (Spen Victoria) 15 Stuart Thomas 21, Neil Tordoff (Wyke) 21 Keith Bailey 17.Bradford 223 (6) Menai 227 (8).

Federation Division Five standings: Bradford 64 (3), Leeds B 59 (3), Menai 55 (3), Warrington 50 (3), Bolton 28 (4).