BEING happy chappies seems to have helped West Bowling turn a corner.

Successive victories over bottom two Leigh East (home) and Hunslet Warriors (away), followed by last weekend's derby win at Drighlington, have helped Ryan Hunkin's team put some daylight between themselves and the relegation places in Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Two.

"I just want the lads to play with smiles on their faces, to play with freedom," said coach Hunkin.

Bowling won 38-16 at Drig, and Hunkin added: "Chris Watson's try (which put them 24-10 ahead) was the killer in the second half because they had mounted a bit of a fightback and it was always going to be difficult for them to score two tries."

Tomorrow, West Bowling, who are now tenth, are at home to leaders Stanningley.

Hunkin said: "They have a great set-up down there, with coaching by Jordan Lilley and Ashton Golding for their academy, they run three teams and they have competition for places, but we are missing Ollie Bartle, Jack Milburn and Liam Darville."

Bradford Dudley Hill are back in action in Division One after a week off, and the basement boys have a winnable game at home to Ince Rose Bridge, who are only a place above them.

Elliot Cousins will be available for the hosts as he has yet to meet the disciplinary committee after being sent off at Shaw Cross Sharks last time out.

Also back is Aiden Batey, but absent are Simon Sewell and Tony Williams, while Neil Wall is 50-50 after a shoulder injury.

Drighlington, level on points with Bowling, are at East Leeds.

Bradford Bulls’ women will be in cup action tomorrow when they take on Stanningley in the Challenge Shield final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington (1pm).

This match is the curtain raiser to the Women’s Challenge Cup final between Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos at 3pm, which will see a new name on the trophy after the Bulls failed to defend their crown.

In the Yorkshire Men’s League, Queensbury will be hoping to keep pace with the top two sides in Division One when they welcome Oulton Raiders, while struggling Keighley Albion make the trip to the east coast to take on Skirlaugh Bulls.