West Bowling 72

Askam 0

WEST Bowling gave a clear message that they have the fire power to be one of the Kingston Press National Conference Division Two title contenders with a 14-try demolition job over Askam in the opening day fixture at Emsleys Rec.

Bowling produced a pulsating performance that bodes well for this week’s Challenge Cup visit to Hunslet Hawks when second row forward Richard Lumb crossed after centre Sam Dunn was held up over the line.

Lumb then showed his handling prowess to send wingman Kyle Moore over in the corner soon followed by another touchdown after a one-drive punishing effort from packman Chris Anderson.

The Askam outfit were blowing hard, chasing shadows against a home side that was clearly fit as fiddles and their misery was compounded when Moore cut inside to glide to the posts and Anderson pounced for his brace.

A clever grubber kick from scrum-half Harry Williams saw his half-back partner Ben Heald collect at full pelt to plant the ball under the sticks for an absolute beauty which gave the rampant hosts an unassailable 30-0 advantage at the interval.

Any remote hopes Askam had of staging a comeback was dashed when Lumb strolled over shortly after the restart.

Substitute forward Lewis Galtress found the chalk with a least five team-mates queuing up on his elbow.

The mighty Lumb secured his hat-trick with surging run before showing his defensive abilities with a number of smother tackles as the huge visitors pack gained some belated second wind.

With a colossal 52-0 total on the board the hosts could have been excused for taking their foot off the gas but they maintained the mayhem to the end with Heald completing his trio together with solo efforts from centre Jack Milburn and three-quarter replacement Kieron Baker.

The goal kicking accuracy of marksman of Williams improved after a wobbly start with eight conversions and he also added a try to complete the mammoth tally.