West Bowling 22 Hull Dockers 18

BARLA international centre Tim Sutcliffe scored two tries as relegation-haunted West Bowling turned the form book on its head to secure the points against title-chasing Hull Dockers in the National Conference League Premier Division at the Bankfoot Oval.

Bowling shrugged off an early scare when an effort from Dockers' wingman Dan Ulyatt was ruled out for offside to mount their best start to a game this troubled season.

They declined an easy penalty bang in front for a high tackle and their enterprise was rewarded when Sutcliffe powered his way over from short range.

Wingman Ben Whyte slotted over the extra two and then added a penalty shortly afterwards when the visitors were caught offside as Bowling piled on the pressure.

Full back Michael Derrick was only thwarted by a last-ditch tackle from opposite number Craig Skelton, and when Bowling won the put-in at a scum in the red zone, Sutcliffe steamed on to a short pass from stand-off Gareth Cullerton for a try straight out of the top drawer.

Whyte's trusty boot ensured maximum reward but the Dockers turned the tables just before the break when a chip kick over the top was fumbled, giving Skelton the chance to pounce for a converted try, which narrowed the gap to 14-6.

With the wind and rain at their backs, the visitors from Hull came out all guns blazing, only to come up against a mean Bowling defence in which forward duo Andrew Senior and John Metcalfe were outstanding.

Cullerton could have made more of a simple chance with men either side screaming for a pass, but the hosts kept the scoreboard ticking over when Whyte added another inch-perfect penalty in the swirling conditions.

The Dockers showed their class when they ran West's defence ragged, allowing substitute Dan Brewer to make the corner.

With the score 16-10, West's long-serving centre Martin Tordoff stepped up to the plate with a weaving run that beat three defenders to scamper over out wide.

Whyte's kick sailed off target but he made no mistake with a difficult penalty shortly afterwards when hooker Danny Ramsden was flattened off the ball.

The Hull side kept the pot boiling right up to time by posting unconverted tries from Andy Johnson and Ulyatt but Bowling kept their nerve and wound down the clock for a vital victory that was only tempered with the news that rivals Wath Brow had also pulled off a giant-killing act by defeating leaders West Hull.