A TOWERING performance by packman Adam Lazenby led Birkenshaw Bluedogs to a welcome 28-18 success at Division Two Central bottom club Wakefield City in the Pennine League.

The veteran prop forward was at the heart of the Bluedogs attacking machine and proved to be a real handful throughout a game in which hooker Matt Honeysett posted two vital touchdowns.

Centre Ben Cousen continued his recent try-scoring feats with another splendid effort which – together with solo efforts from wingmen Gary Procter, Luke Smith and centre Chris Aked, plus two Jarrod Toulson conversions – saw Birkenshaw home with room to spare.

Brighouse Rangers' hopes of inflicting a shock Championship double over second-placed Sharlston Rovers resulted in a 38-14 gallant failure after they had rocked the hosts by taking an early 10-0 lead.

Rangers pulled off a mighty upset in early November when they stunned the Wakefield giants with a 34-22 home success.

They looked to be on course to repeat the dose when quick, accurate passing saw prop forward Sam Moon bludgeon his way over the chalk out wide.

On a gluepot of a pitch, they increased their advantage further when Joe Campbell collected a shrewd grubber kick from loose forward Jamie Barraclough.

The big Sharlston pack began to flex their muscles, only to find the Brighouse six matched them in the tackling and scrambling defence department before a dropped Rangers pass gave the hosts the chance to post their opening try.

The pendulum swung further Sharlston's way when they quickly posted a further two touchdowns to edge in front.

But second-bottom Brighouse produced a cracking response as centre Anton Ambler crashed over in the corner to earn both sides a welcome break, with the home outfit just ahead at 16-14.

Yet the second half proved to be a bridge too far for the injury-hit Rangers, who only had two substitutes on the bench.

Despite some resolute tackling from forward trio Sam Hardcastle, Any Esmond and Ben Wrightson, it was the Sharlston stand-off who bossed the game by using the troubling setting sun to launch a series of clever kicks which set up a bevy of tries in the final quarter.

The lopsided final tally flattered the home side, who were mightily relieved to take the spoils against a Rangers outfit who shook them to the core.