Craig is the pick for a rampant Clayton

Clayton 62

Loose forward Craig Pickthall led the way with a four-try haul as Clayton put Victoria Rangers to the sword in a powerful performance at Eccleshill.

The Vics made a cracking start when centre Danny Dixon collected the ball straight from the kick-off and raced 40 metres before being brought down just short of the line. He played the ball quickly and hooker Ray Greenwood dived over from acting half.

Stand off Peter Snell missed the simple conversion from bang in front but the lively Rangers settled down to keep the Premier Division title contenders on the back foot with some telling tackles.

Pickthall clicked into gear to send centre Mark Schofield galloping over to level the scores but the Vics deservedly went back in front when wingman Len Dalladay slotted over a penalty after a head-high tackle on centre Carl Williams.

Rangers prop Gareth Barnes was held up inches short but with the heavier and more experienced Clayton pack rapidly gaining the initiative, prop forward John Parkinson went hard and low into the corner and then added the touchline conversion.

Paul Crossley scampered down the whitewash for a typical wingman's effort and Pickthall stormed over for his first as the Vics desperately tried to stem the tide.

The straw that broke the camel's back came bang on the stroke of half-time when winger Johnny Grogan sprinted clear to canter in between the posts, leaving Parkinson an easy conversion to send his side in with a 24-6 interval lead.

The burly Parkinson quickly powered in from short range on the restart and the classy Pickthall looked head and shoulders above any other player on the field by posting a rapid three tries as he revelled in the muddy conditions.

Substitute Phil Redgrave quickly made his presence felt with a try on his first touch of the ball and Parkinson earned his hat-trick, which together with his seven conversions gave him a personal tally of 26 points for the afternoon.

Rangers refused to throw in the towel as second row forward Beniot Rogers and loose forward Matt Brickley tackled like demons.

They gained their reward when Dalladay caught the defence napping to squeeze in at the corner but they looked out on their feet when prop forward Mark Anderson crashed over for the visitors shortly afterwards.

Referee and former Bradford Northern stalwart Eddie Okulicz, who had an excellent game with the whistle, decided both teams had given their all and did the decent thing by blowing up five minutes early.