On a day when they were inspired by 'Elvis', Bradford & Bingley certainly shook up the National League Three North title race.

It wasn't only that Bees winger Mark Kirkby ran in six tries - which was not only a club record but equalled a divisional best - it was also that leaders Nuneaton suffered their first defeat of the season.

While Bradford & Bingley were making it Heartbreak Hotel for the Wirral side, the midlanders were finding Tynedale too much in the North East. Nuneaton's 19-10 defeat - and that after leading 10-0 - means that the Bees are now four points ahead at the top having played a game more.

And the top two meet at Liberty Way next Saturday in what Bees head coach Geoff Wappett calls "the most important game in our history".

Former Otley and Orrell winger Kirkby, nicknamed 'Elvis', said of his feat: "It's nice to equal the record. My previous best was five for Otley at Redruth. I think our ball retention was good, we off-loaded well and ran the lines well too."

Kirkby added: "Training didn't go too well for us leading up to the match and our concentration went a bit at times on the day. But we will go to Nuneaton next Saturday full of confidence and hopefully we can concentrate for the full 80 minutes and come away with a positive result."

Wappett said: "The season is a long race and we are moving to the front. We are going to Nuneaton full of rhythm, while they will have to pick themselves up off the floor after losing at Tynedale."

Another benefit to the Bees could be

the players available. Bloues Volschenk (Achilles injury) should return and prop Ronnie Kelly (lung injury) could start too after featuring in a 31-minute cameo.

In addition, flanker Neil Spence will come into contention after resting his swollen hand, while centre Phil Greaves should be available after suffering a rib injury and a 'dead leg' against New Brighton.

The others that started in the 14-try romp against New Brighton did their chances no harm either.

Wappett said: "Richard Hughes had a great game in the second row along with Barry Clark, while Kern Yates had a big game filling in for Neil and Roger Raper had a good game at prop too."

Right winger Joe Simpson went off at half-time with a recurrence of his knee injury but that was just a precautionary measure for next weekend.

The other Bees tries came from Ben Greaves (3), Jonny Leota, Clark, Simpson, Hughes and Tim Bennett, Rhodes' ten

conversions also equalling a league best.