NEWSOME Panthers made it two Pennine League Division I wins on the bounce with a thoroughly-deserved 24-18 triumph at previously unbeaten League leaders Bank Top Harriers.

The home side took the lead with a fifth-minute unconverted try.

But for the rest of the half, it belonged to the Panthers.

Despite giving up a noticeable size advantage, excellent play by the young Newsome pack paved the way for Dan Farrand to cross for a converted try and set the visitors on the road to victory.

And with Newsome’s confidence growing and Bank Top struggling to cope with their opponents’ pace and power, it was no surprise when Ben Dawson burst through a small gap to race 40m to score.

Then with the Harriers on the ropes, another piece of flowing rugby enabled Ryan Heeley to cross and make it 14-4 at the break.

That lead was soon extended to 16 points when Will Smith finished off a length-of-the-field move.

But that was the signal for Bank Top to claw thair way back, although they were aided by some Panthers’ indiscipline.

With 10 minutes remaining, the hosts had battled back to 20-18 to set up a thrilling finale.

Fortunately, however, Newsome’s defence managed to stay strong in the face of increasing pressure and after holding out their rivals for three continuous sets of six, they gained their reward as Tom Eidson scored in the corner to seal a deserved win.

The Panthers’ triumph was one of the few bright spots for the Huddersfield clubs in action.

In the Premier Division, both of the town’s teams were beaten.

St Joseph’s opening League clash of the campaign ended in a 44-34 defeat at Wibsey Warriors, while Slaithwaite Saracens narrowly lost 19-16 at Clayton.

The Saints were always in the hunt, with tries coming Joe Flaherty (2), Dave Pawson (2), player-coach Kevin Bower, Michael Lang and Jay Senior, and goals from Bower and Chris Burns.

Emley Moor’s disappointing start to the Championship Division season continued with a 32-22 home defeat to Ossett Trinity, while Lindley Swifts were well beaten 42-4 by Moorends Thorne Marauders.

Underbank Rangers helped lift some of the gloom by making it three wins out of three with a 28-24 Third Division triumph at West Leeds, while Slaithwaite A secured their first Division IV points of the season with an 18-6 home success over Victoria Rangers.

And there was always going to be a Huddersfield success guaranteed in Division V as St Joseph’s edged Meltham All Blacks 22-20 in a closely-fought derby tussle.