CLAYTON snatched a thrilling Bradford ARL Hudson Foster Supplementary Cup final by 30-27 against Queensbury after a see-saw encounter at Odsal Stadium.

A late try from second-row forward Elliott McElroy was the clincher in what was a humdinger of a curtain raiser to the Jack Senior Memorial Cup final.

McElroy had also gone over straight from the kick-off, only to see his effort disallowed for a forward pass.

Queensbury playmaker Brett Marriott then cut inside to open their account before wingman Aiden Hainsworth doubled their tally by diving over at the ruck.

When hooker Gareth Crowther spun out of the clutches of two defenders to spin over at the side of the posts, leaving full back Chris Hanson to slot over his third conversion, Clayton looked to be heading for a walloping, trailing 18-0. However, a brave touchdown from Mike Cunliffe, who made the corner with inches to spare, revived hopes, and the Villagers’ other wingman Dan Priestley took a neat pass from his centre Karl Spring on the opposite flank to reach the chalk, with marksman Ryan Wilkinson kicking the touchline conversion to narrow the gap still further.

Spring then latched onto a pass from stand-off Jack Bowman to cross for their third in succession before Bury retaliated.

Stand-off Joel Charlton skipped off both feet to jink through the cover defence, with Hanson again on target for a 24-14 half-time lead.

Clayton substitute Sam Wainwright crossed the whitewash on the restart, with Wilkinson making sure of full reward, before Bury went a man down following centre Joe Hall’s visit to the sin bin for a high tackle.

A smart drop goal from Christian Rafferty eased the blue and whites to 25-20, which was reduced when Wilkinson made space for Priestley to claim his brace.

A Hanson penalty looked to have won it for Bury before McElroy ensured that the trophy went to the Lidget Green Oval when he powered his way over, leaving Wilkinson to add the extras.