WEST Bowling have given themselves a huge boost by claiming their first victory of the National Conference League Premier Division season.

They were in action on Friday night at Horsfall against York Acorn and won a thrilling encounter 28-22.

Bowling and head coach John Williams were indebted to popular half-back Harry Williams, who has left League 1 Hunslet and made the return to amateur rugby league.

Williams was vital to Bowling’s Division One title success last year, which earned him that off-season move to the Parksiders.

And it was like he had never been away on Friday night, as he marked his return to BD6 with a man of the match display.

Bowling began their season with a good Challenge Cup victory at Oulton Raiders, but it has been downhill for them since.

They lost a fiery second-round affair at Hammersmith Hills Hoists, and saw Liam Darville and Dan Halmshaw pick up lengthy bans for punching, with both being sent off during the defeat.

And their league campaign began with six straight losses, including heavy defeats to West Hull and Siddal.

But their last home game saw them agonisingly beaten 24-22 by Heworth, and with those banned players returning, and Josh Lynam and Matt Bailey joining from Keighley Cougars on dual registration, there were signs Bowling could be a competitive force in the top flight.

And they proved that emphatically the other day, beating a York Acorn side who had only lost one their five league games prior to Friday night.

Veteran Richard Lumb led from the front with a pair of tries, while his fellow second row Jack Milburn also grabbed a brace.

Former Bradford Bulls prospect Lewis Camden scored Bowling’s other try, while stand off Liam Coe was successful with four of his five kicks at goal.

The win takes the BD6 side off the foot of the table on points difference, with Lock Lane the new basement dwellers in the division.

Drighlington meanwhile missed the chance to go top of Division Three after losing 30-18 at East Leeds.

Drig’s fellow Division Three side Featherstone Lions were in action against Bradford Dudley Hill in the last-16 of the BARLA (British Amateur Rugby League Association) National Cup.

And Dudley Hill, now playing in Division One of the Yorkshire Men’s League, produced a brilliant comeback victory.

The Lions went into the sheds with a 16-6 lead after a poor first half from the Parry Lane men, but a colourful half time talk from experienced coach Jason Lee seemed to be the catalyst for a Dudley Hill comeback, as they won 36-22 against their Yorkshire rivals.

The try scorers were Jamie Brentley, Ryan Dickinson, Gaz Ramsden, while there were doubles from both second row forwards Dan Lee and Joe Newell, as well as four goals from the boot of Dan Softley.

Dudley Hill will now face a tough home quarter final against St Helens outfit Haresfinch on Saturday, May 25.

With the Bradford side occupied by cup action, they slipped to third in the league as Hunslet ARLFC went top with a gripping 28-26 victory at Wibsey Warriors.

Up in the YML Premier Division, Keighley Albion were beaten 32-12 by Stanley Rangers.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Adam Gaunt scored both of Keighley Albion's tries in their heavy defeat at the weekend.Adam Gaunt scored both of Keighley Albion's tries in their heavy defeat at the weekend. (Image: Darren Gaunt.)

Brighouse Rangers won 22-6 against Seacroft Sharks down in Division Two, while Queensbury were thrashed 48-8 at Castleford Panthers.

Wyke lost 28-22 at home to New Earswick All Blacks in Division Three.

In Division Six, there was misery all round, as Guiseley Rangers and Keighley Albion Academy both lost, while Birkenshaw Blue Dogs Academy gifted their opponents King Cross Park Academy a walkover win.

In the NCL Alliance League, West Bowling Academy were thumped 42-12 at Shaw Cross Sharks, but there was far better news for Odsal Sedbergh in the YML Merit League.

They came out on top at Brighouse Rangers Bears, winning 38-24 after a tough battle.

The hosts led at the break and were two scores up until the hour mark until a length of the field try from former Brighouse junior Thomas Leakey, taking a kick off on the full and going 90 metres, swayed momentum in Sedge’s favour.

The other scores came from his brother Josh Leakey, Adam Cash, Shaq Jones, Josh Tordoff, Scott Smith and Martin McCulley.