Jack Senior Memorial Bradford Cup holders Wyke retained the trophy with a stunning 52-14 nine-try performance against Clayton at the Lidget Green Oval.

It was the first time Wyke had successfully defended their title in over 50 years and also the first time a team had kept hold of the trophy since Wibsey back in 2012.

Clayton made full use of the slope when they launched a series of attacks straight from the kick off.

They struck the first blow when prop forward Ben Hammonds, lurking out wide, powered onto a crisp offload to reach the whitewash.

They quickly reclaimed advantage on the restart to camp in the black and whites red zone, only to see Wyke centre Calvin Barker collect the ball from the scrum and weave his way out to the touchline side to turn on the gas and race 80 metres to the whitewash for what was the best try of the game.

Their momentum continued when second row forward Alec Williams spotted a gap to canter to the side of the posts.

Further icing was added to the cake when broad-shouldered wingman Tevin Campbell blasted his way up the flank for another long range effort shortly afterwards, leaving stand-off Brad Clarkson to add his third conversion.

Clayton quickly regathered themselves and a sweeping cross-field passing move saw wingman Josh Belson over in the corner with stand-off Jake Barnes slotting over the difficult extras.

The burly Hammonds then repeated his earlier achievement in identical style to further pull back the arrears 18-14 with all to play for at the interval.

The big question on the restart was if Clayton, who completed their winter season nearly two months ago, could match the stamina and fitness of a Wyke side on the crest of a wave playing downhill and unbeaten at the start of their summer campaign.

The answer came promptly when full back James Wain made the extra man to sprint in at the corner but Clarkson sent his conversion wide for his only miss of the match.

Wain was again on hand to collect his brace and a cracking break from hooker Oscar Woodhead sent loose forward James Cullen to the chalk as the tempo was maintained.

Centre Brad Peel then cut inside to beat the tiring cover defence and it was clear the gallant Clayton outfit had given their all and had nothing left when man of the match trophy winner Barker used his pace to sprint to the posts.

He needed less speed when he had only a stroll to the line to register his hat-trick on the final play in front of a 500-plus carnival crowd that celebrated a fine exhibition of what Bradford amateur rugby league has to offer.

Wyke coach Ian Wormald said: “That for me puts this squad as the best Wyke squad in living history.

"The last two years has seen a few runners-up medals and more importantly a few winners medals and retaining the Bradford Cup seals it for me."

He added: “ If I can keep this group together and keep adding competition for places we will become a force to be reckoned with.

"But for now this squad should take all the credit they deserve and enjoy the win."