Victoria Vikings 44 Silsden Park Rangers 16 - A Silsden side devastated by work commitments and injuries resulted in only 11 players available to make the trip to table-topping Victoria Vikings.

The game more about pride that the result which was pretty much a foregone conclusion and the few that played did so with immense courage and commitment. Right from the start Vick Vikings knew they had a game on their hands and on a number of occasions during the first half Silsden very nearly crossed the oppositions line with Neil Jordan, Mark Adams and Matt Bowness missing by mere inches.

Outstanding tackling performances from Steve Dent, Chris Fell, Andy Bowness and Matt Bowness kept the Vikings backs at bay while the forwards, Martyn Fryers, Mark Stott and Graeme Sheffield continually tested the opponents defensive line. Neverthe less it was only a matter of time before the overlaps were found and the Pudsey side racked up 24 points in the first half, all from long distance breaks.

Silsden were able to reply on the stroke of half time with a penalty cleanly taken by sure footed Andy Bowness.

As the second half kicked off Silsden seemed to step up a gear, continuing to pressure the Vikings defence. This paid off when a chip through bounced off the post protectors and Sheffield was perfectly positioned to collect the ball for Rangers first try. Andy added the extras to narrow the deficit. Vikings retaliated as the weather deteriorated with a try of their own but the never give up attitude of the Cobbydalers continued and Matt's continued attempts to scoot over the line from the play of the ball finally paid off, Andy once again adding the extras. Silsden continued right through to the final whistle, managing to pick up another two points from Andy's boot along the way.

This was a valiant effort for Rangers but playing with two players short throughout the game the result could have only gone one way.

Silsden will look to regain their winning ways as they travel to struggling Stainland Stags, kick off at 2.00pm.

Cowling 20

Hoyland 22

Last year Cowling Harlequin did the double over Hoyland with convincing wins home and away and things seemed to be going the same way as the 12-mann Cowling stormed in to a 16-0 lead.

Stan Greenwood scored his first try to open for Cowling followed by a great try from Ben Bibby. Man of the match Ben Clements had a try disallowed as did Bibby. In a stunning comeback Hoyland scored three tries levelling the score at 16-16.

Cowling charged back with an ungoaled try for Johnny Crowther answered with just minutes to go with a goaled effort for Hoyland to snatch victory.

Cowling Harlequin (Keighley) take on Clayton 'A' (Bradford) on Saturday at Cougar Park in the Pennine Shipley Trophy, 2 pm kick-off.

Keighley Albion 8

Park Amateurs 6

Albion scraped into the second round of the Halifax ARL Joseph Fee Cup with a narrow victory over Park Amateurs.

The game was played in atrocious conditions of driving wind and rain. Both sides found handling difficult and struggled to complete a set of six tackles.

Park had the first opportunity to score in the 10th minute when they were awarded a penalty directly in front of the posts, but pushed the ball wide.

Richard Blackburn and James Feather worked hard trying to open up the Park defence and they linked well with Marco Ferrazano, and Wayne Smith who led the Albion attack. However, it was Craig Livock who scored Albions first try when he spotted a gap close to the Park try line and used Matthew Mount as a foil to score 10 metres from touch.

The next score came on 30 minutes from loose play, when a Park player knocked on and hacked the ball towards the touchline. Chris Hago was alert to the opportunity and picked the ball up and outpaced the opposition over 50 metres to score a fine try in the corner to give Albion an 8-0 interval lead.

The second half was dominated by the forwards with Boocock, Broughton, Wrench and Holland working hard in defence, but they were unable to prevent a Park Amateurs try on the hour from a kick and chase bringing the score to 8-6 in Albions favour.

Minutes later Simon Bancroft made a try saving tackle to stop Park taking the lead then as the game opened up Marco Ferrazzano made a superb 70 metre break and was tackled a metre short of the line. James Feather picked up from acting half but was held up over the line. Albion finished the game strongly and kept Park pinned in their own half and ran out deserved winners by 8-6.

This week Albion first team are at Home to Brighouse Rangers in the second round of the Pennine Presidents Cup K.O. 2pm The second team are away to Brighouse Rangers A in a league fixture.