Birkenshaw scored six tries to Queensbury's two in their 30-20 home win over their Premier Division old foes at East Bierley.

Bury can thank Halifax RL for allowing Paul Drake to play for his former amateur side and it was his six goals that kept them in the hunt until the last quarter of the game.

The first half was tit for tat with Birkenshaw stand off Andy Hirst scampering in after selling a classic dummy and scrum half Johnny Turpin quickly followed up with a brace.

Hirst added two conversions but Bury replied with a try from Gareth Hobson which together with three goals from Drake closed the half 16-10.

Drake slotted over another two penalties before Birky loose forward Richard Cousens found his way to the whitewash. Queensbury loose forward Trevor Stead then crossed and Drake added the extras to tie the scores 20-20.

Centre Nick Simpson and hooker Ryan Bostock both scored tries within a minute and Hirst converted one as the match finished in a raging hailstorm.

Victoria Rangers pulled off a handsome 16-12 away win at fourth-in-the-table Keighley Albion.

Albion broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when Chris Atkins crossed for a converted try but the Vics hit back with a fine effort from wingman Damian Smith just before the interval to peg it back to 6-4.

The evergreen former London Broncos centre Ikram Butt was soon over at the posts at the restart and half-back Peter Snell added the extra two to put the Rangers in front but Albion went back in the lead with a converted try from Wayne Smith.

Scrum half Phil Greenwood made sure of the points when, with an hour played, he won the race to the line and Snell slotted over the kick for a well-deserved victory.

West Bowling A's tale of woe continued with a 34-4 defeat at Thornhill Trojans and Odsal Sedbergh are still locked with them in the relegation zone of Division One after their 16-10 setback at Halifax Irish.

Queensbury A look to be turning the corner after a fine show in the 36-14 home reverse against Liversedge. The scoreline flattered the visitors, especially with stand off Andy Thornton having what appeared to be two good tries disallowed.

Hooker Brett Marriott crossed twice and a solo effort from wingman Chris Nero plus a conversion from scrum half Martin Potts completed the Bury scoring.

Thornton's relentless march towards the Division Five title took another step forward with a 30-6 win at Victoria Rangers A.

The Vics made them scrap all the way and Thornton only made the game safe in the final quarter.

The Rangers converted try came from stand off Luke Sutcliffe while Thornton scored five touchdowns from Alan Hobson, Mark Gay, Simon Hall, John Belcher and Sam Parkinson. Darren Ellerton kicked five goals. Undercliffe won a 26-22 thriller at home to West Bowling B to keep their promotion ambitions on track. Bowling tries came from Luke Whittaker, Steve Carter, Paul House and Carl Moss. Craig Hillam kicked three conversions.

Division Six new boys Thornton A lost 30-12 at home to Greetland All Rounders. The vastly experienced duo Neil Walters and Tony Parkinson trundled to the whitewash and Matt Fullen added the extras. Wyke remain in bottom spot following their 36-26 defeat at Cowling Harlequins. Forwards Liam Hay (4) and Ben Cousen scored the tries and Gareth Sephton kicked three conversions.