GLENN Barraclough has stepped down as coach of West Bowling.

Having been promoted via the play-offs from Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Three, Bowling have struggled this season and are next to bottom in Division Two with three wins from their 12 matches.

The last straw for club chairman Mick Gorman was West’s 18-10 home defeat to Drighlington last weekend, and Barraclough was called in for a meeting on Monday night.

“I have won four titles and three promotions recently and have been named coach of the year three times in various leagues, but now my coaching style is an issue,” said a puzzled Barraclough.

“But I have stepped down for the good of the club, although I will still coach the under-13s, in which my son plays, on a Saturday morning.

“At least I won’t be hurrying from training them to the open-age team on a Saturday.”

Barraclough will be replaced by assistant coach Ryan Hunkin.

Drighlington led 18-0 after 51 minutes via tries by Nathan Larvin, Mick Sanderson and Ryan Burton, with Sanderson adding three goals, before the hosts hit back with tries by Nick Fontaine and Jack Milburn, with Liam Coe adding a goal.

Barraclough said: “We were a bit slow in the first half but played better in the second, and had one or two chances to score more tries but couldn’t get over the line.”

Ollie Bartle was Bowling’s man of the match for the fourth consecutive game.

In Yorkshire Men’s League Division Two, Wibsey Warriors lost a thriller 33-32 at Newsome Panthers.

Tries for the visitors came from Jack Cull (2), Joe Ratcliffe, Jack Smith, Ryan Goldsborough and Josh Chamberlain, with Brad Wright adding four goals.

Meanwhile, unbeaten leaders Brighouse Rangers won the top-of-the-table clash in Division Three 26-14 over visitors Elland.

Points for Rangers came from try-machine Andy Esmond (3), Karl Frankland and Doug Heseltine, with Frankland adding three goals as Elland’s 100 per cent record ended.

Wyke Academy won the Division Five derby 42-10 at Birkenshaw Bluedogs, with tries for the visitors coming from Alistair Kittsen (3), James Cullen (2), Tevin Campbell, Jordan Payton and Jonathan Fawthorp.