DUDLEY Hill Rangers Under-12s needed to beat hosts and season-long rivals Ilkley to secure a second shared championship with Horsforth St Margaret's in the Bradford & Calderdale Keybury Junior League.

Defeat would have meant that Rangers shared the runners-up berth with Ilkley – and Rangers needed under-11s keeper Joe Rand to show firm hands after a scrappy team start.

However, they hit Ilkley with a sucker punch when an unmarked Karl Kwedi converted a far-post corner, before Rangers counter-attacked to go 2-0 ahead via Karlson Ogie after Anton Tavernier slipped him in.

Ilkley scored early in the second half but Rangers were more resolute in defence and dangerous up front, with Tavernier's cross-shot stinging the Ilkley keeper's palms and dropping in. Ogie then made it 4-1 with the outside of his right boot.

The teams meet again in a 'Champions League' semi-final tomorrow (10.30am) at Illingworth Sports & Social Club in Halifax, with St Margaret's meeting either holders Albion Sports or Warley Rangers at noon.

In the 'Europa League', Guiseley are already through to the final after Sutton threatened a comeback but lost 5-4.

Bradford side Athletico play AFC Halifax, also at Illingworth Sports & Social Club, in the other semi-final tomorrow at 1.30pm.

* The Bradford & Calderdale Keybury Junior League are inviting applicants for the 2016-17 season, which is again free to enter.

Age groups will be from under-sevens to under-18s, subject to the number of participants.

The league are also working with Grange Technology College about using their 3G central hub to beat the weather.

Application forms can be downloaded from the league website (documents section) and the deadline for applications is Tuesday, May 31.