WEST Bowling saw their National Conference League Division One season end at the play-off semi-final stage on Saturday, and a wedding was partly to blame.

The Bradford side lost 28-12 at Wigan St Patricks, and while head coach Ryan Hunkin admitted his team deserved to lose, he pointed out that having some more of his key players could have made a difference.

Hunkin explained: “I think it would have made a big difference if the game had been on home soil at Horsfall (it would have been if Bowling had finished fourth instead of fifth by two points) as we’ve gone unbeaten there for two years.

“But one of our lads was getting married on Saturday, and that meant we had three key players missing for the game as a result.

“We’ve had to deal with that kind of thing all year, so I’m proud of what we’ve achieved this season.”

Hunkin added: “It was our first full year in Division One (after Covid affected the two seasons following their 2019 promotion), and I would have taken reaching the play-off semis at the start of it.

“We wanted to get promoted, no doubt about that, but we’ve had to fight hard in a very competitive league.

“The season has been an eye-opener for the club, players and staff, and we know now where we need to improve and add depth.

“We’re already planning for next year and (laughing) we are hoping there’ll be a few more weddings arranged for the winter months instead.

“If we can get a good run of players featuring consistently next season, we have real hope.”

Discussing the defeat to Wigan at the weekend, Hunkin admitted: “I think they fully deserved to beat us, as their completion and game management was a lot better than ours.

“It maybe should have been 24-12 to them, because they scored a breakaway try in the last minute while we were pushing to add another score, but I can’t complain about the result.

“I can’t fault the effort our lads have put in all year, as like most teams, we have had to use more players than usual.

“It’s been a real experience for some lads who might not normally play at National Conference League level, so I’m proud of their efforts and I feel it will help them show more going forward.”

As for West Bowling’s aim for 2023, Hunkin said: “We want to reach the Premier Division, and promotion is 100 per cent the goal.

“But Division One is a very good standard and we’re just proud to be part of the flagship competition in amateur rugby league.

“With three teams coming up from Division Two, and three sides dropping down from the top-flight, it’s going to be a tough ask.

“With half of the division changing, in terms of the teams in it, we’ll have to see what those new sides look like.

“Those three relegated teams in particular will be wanting to go straight back up, so it won’t be easy for us.”

It was the last day of the season in the Yorkshire Men's League, with Queensbury rounding off their Premier Division campaign with a 24-0 walkover win over New Earswick All Blacks.

Brighouse Rangers finished one place above Queensbury in fifth, losing their last game 17-10 at Siddal Academy.

In Division Two, Wibsey Warriors were awarded a 24-0 victory over Illingworth, which ensured they finished fourth.

That was one place above Bradford rivals Odsal Sedbergh, who ended their campaign by winning 20-12 at rock-bottom Myton Warriors A.

Drighlington's reserves finished bottom of Division Six, but at least rounded off their campaign with a win, an impressive 26-12 success at mid-table Bentley.

Finally, in Division 7B, Queensbury A thrashed Birkenshaw Blue Dogs 40-6 on the final day.

And third-bottom Wyke A had a walkover win over Brighouse Rangers A.

Rangers have forefeited their final game against Queensbury too, meaning the latter have been crowned champions by one point from Leeds Akkies.