3 Apr 2023

NCL Round-up - West Bowling top of Division One at Easter

West Bowling head into Easter on top of Division One after a nine-try victory against previously second-placed Oulton Raiders who now drop to third and are one of five teams with six league points to their name.

Bowling, who have hardly lost at home in the last couple of years, proved a formidable opponent for the Raiders. It was a cold afternoon and a rain storm whipped in during the first half but this failed to dampen a fluent performance that included a hat-trick of tries from second-row forward Jack Milburn.

There was little evidence of the points fest to come in the first ten minutes as Oulton produced a couple of chances through centre Harry Kendal, before West Bowling got in great position for Dan Halmshaw to send Nat Light crashing through the defence for the opening score and Harry Williams kicked the first of six goals.

The hosts extended their advantage in the fifteenth minute with an excellent kick and chase through from Liam Darville and when Milburn scored the first of his treble, collecting a loose pass before racing 90 metres in the 21st minute and Max Trueman dotted down from another raid four minutes later, it was already 22-0.

West Bowling then forced a drop out and from the extra possession Trueman linked for Lewis Taylor to get in wide on the right.

Then with six minutes of the first half remaining Trueman again popped a pass out for Milburn to skip over for his second try and Williams goaled to ensure a 32-0 half-time advantage.

Once more the hosts looked set to break free with only timely interceptions from Kiedan Hartley and Danny Mackintosh preventing further tries. The visitors did rally with Jordan Blagg making a long run through the middle and Kendal threatened again before Oulton finally got on the scoreboard in the 51st minute. It was worth the wait too as Mackintosh and Hartley linked superbly for Liam Wiggins to touch down, but unfortunately, it was too wide for Kieron Walpole to goal.

Bowling resumed normal service five minutes later when the outstanding Elliot Cousins, Darville and Trueman all linked for James Fieldhouse to sear away from the defence. Milburn's hat-trick score followed to take the hosts past forty points and another excellent shift to the left brought a score for Kieron Baker with Williams completing his goal tally.

There was just enough time near the end for Trueman to bolt an otherwise impressive game with a sinbinning offence, but it had little impact and didn't stop West Bowling from celebrating at the final whistle.

In the Premier Division West Hull won a thriller at Wath Brow 14-12 and there were wins for Thatto Heath (against Siddal), Hull Dockers (at Leigh Miners Rangers), while Kells continue their dream return to the Premier Division with their third win of the season, this time against York Acorn.

Elsewhere in Division One Stanningley just held off the challenge of Skirlaugh, Pilkington Recs bettered Thornhill Trojans, Heworth posted an impressive 62-6 win over Clock Face Miners, Ince Rose Bridge won away at Featherstone Lions while Crosfields held off the challenge of Egremont Rangers.

In Division Two there was home success for Woolston Rovers (against Myton Warriors), Wigan St Judes (over Dewsbury Celtic), Shaw Cross Sharks (who defeated Saddleworth Rangers) and Barrow Island (who scored two late tries to take the game away from Normanton Knights). Waterhead Warriors amassed a 56-0 win at East Leeds.

There were close wins for Seaton Rangers and Millom against Drighlington and Beverley respectively while Leigh East enjoyed a resounding 40-6 win at home to Hensingham and Ellenborough Rangers topped the half-century of points for the second time this season with a 56-4 defeat of Eastmoor Dragons. Oldham St Annes claimed a 28-12 success at Bentley in the outstanding fixture.

Just two games are on the calendar for the Easter weekend as Pilkington Recs host Ince Rose Bridge in a Division One local derby on Thursday (7pm start), while Hunslet ARLFC travel over to Lock Lane on Easter Saturday (2:30pm kick-off).

Results
Saturday 1st April
Premier Division