Bradford 0, Ben Rhydding 2 - Bradford lost to local hockey rivals Ben Rhydding in a close game at Thornton on Saturday.

A full-strength Ben Rhydding side came focussed on taking the three points from the leaders, and for much of a goal-less first half were the better side and brought the best out of the Bradford defence.

Rob Terry had to make a number of fine saves from Harmer's powerful flicks. In reply, Bradford had fewer encroachments into the Rhydding circle, though skipper Richard Harpin disappointed when he should have found the target with the goal unprotected.

In the second half Bradford were more assertive and began to test Rhydding's defence.

However, in the twelfth minute after a Bradford attack the visitors countered well winning a penalty corner. Though the initial challenge was stopped, Rhydding scored when Bradford failed to clear.

In the 22nd minute the visitors increased their lead from a counter attack.

The last ten minutes belonged to Bradford, who applied good pressure and saw Sarup Panesar's tricky attempt at a penalty corner go inches wide after it passed under the keeper. Richard Harpin hit the post from a penalty corner in the last minute of the game.

L Buzzard 2, Bradford 4

On Sunday, Bradford travelled to Leighton Buzzard for the second round of the National competition, the Hockey Association Vase.

There were changes to the side that lost on Saturday as Mark Hammond came into midfield and Craig Tiffany replaced Mark Backhouse.

It was Leighton Buzzard in the 12th minute who drew first blood as their inside forward squeezed the ball between Rob Terry and his left post.

Bradford countered with a goal from a fast flowing passing move with Luther Brown providing Jaspal Panesar with his fourth goal in three games.

Eight minutes later Bradford increased the lead as Tiffany finished clinically from close range.

In the 29th minute Sam Baxter swept home a penalty corner inside the Leighton right hand post to give Bradford a 3-1 lead at half-time.

Some 16 minutes into the half Harpin made it four with a lightening strike as he moved at pace into the circle.

At 4-1 the game looked cut and dried for Bradford but the home team had other ideas and fought back tenaciously, scoring from a penalty stroke.

There followed 15 minutes of fast and furious play with both sides fortunate not have conceded more goals.