The Pennine Amateur Rugby League Review

Ovenden narrowed the gap at the top of the Premier Division with a fine 30-16 win at Halifax rivals Park Amateurs. There were one or two shocks in the "Local Cup competitions With second division Odsal Sedbergh having a great 44-15 away win at First division Victoria Rangers in the Jack Senior Memorial Trophy semi Final.  Newsome Panthers showed their metal with a 25-14 home win against Premier Division St.Josephs. The Undefeated Division Four side now face Lindley Swifts in the final of the Holliday Cup. No shocks in he Halifax ARL Joseph Fee Memorial Trophy where as expected Siddal defeated rivals Brighouse Rangers 12-9 and Holders Elland ran out 26-9 winners at Keighley Albion, after taking a 10-2 half time advantage, Albion stormed back in the second half to bring the score to 10-9 and if they had landed the kick at goal from a penalty who knows what could have happened.
Ovenden's win at Park takes them to within a point from second placed Birkenshaw although the Bradford side have games in hand, David Hebblewhite, Lee Chiles, Steve Taylor Lee Midgley and County prospect Tom McAdam all crossed for tries for the visitors, with player coach Taylor landing 5 goals.  Dan Steele, Andrew Boocock and Simon Lumb crossed for Park with Martin Hardcastle kicking 2 goals. In Division one's match of the day Westgate Redoubt look certain to return to the Pennine Leagues top flight next season after a 26-14 win at Halifax Irish. Only Keighley Albion can catch them now after they opened up a massive 8-point gap at the top of the table. Points machine Stu Moran had a try and three goals, whilst Aide Malcolm, Brett Shaw, Darren Craven and Matt Hudson all ran in tries for the Wakefield side. James Agus and Lee Gleeson picked up tries for the Irish with Paul Knapper kicking 3 goals. In Division Two Silsden Park Rangers got back to winning ways in a tight fought game at Todmorden. The home side led at half time 10-6, but Silsden replied with 20 points in the second half without reply. Danny Horne scored 2 tries and was man-of-the-match for the Cobbydalers, and he also took over kicking duties with 3 conversions. Matt Bowness and captain Neil Jordan scored Silsden's other tries and Chris Langdale added 2 conversions. Boothtown Terriers leapt above their opponents Spotland Rangers into second place behind runaway leaders Newsome Panthers, with a 24-6 home win against the Rochdale outfit. Damien Summerscales ran in two tries for the Terriers with Simon Farrer and Scott Allan picking up one each, Scott Lindsey kicked 4 goals. Tony Appleyard ran in a try for the visitors with Stuart Ripley adding the goal. In the division four-relegation battle Undercliffe completed a rare league double over their rivals from Wyke. Star of the show for Undercliffe was Liam Jordan with a hatrick of tries and a length of the Park try by Alex Scargill. Undercliffe coach Peter Dutton was over highly delighted to have won the game although they are still in serious relegation trouble. Division Six leaders Bailiff Bridge maintained their winning ways with a 46-8 home win against Greetland All Rounders 'A'. Alan Bottomley had a hatrick of tries Simon Wolk picked up two tries and Chris Burns and Matthew Kellet had a try each, the ever reliable Lawrence Dodding added 9 goals, Greetland's veteran stalwart David Beaumont picked up a try with Paul Stead adding a couple of goals. Another couple of wins should see Bailiff Bridge picking up the champions, not a bad effort for their first season in Rugby League. (Hope I have not put the skids under you lads)