EMLEY Moor recorded their best win of their Pennine League Division I season with a 58-18 triumph over West Bowling.
There was little to separate the sides in the opening half as the hosts held a narrow 16-12 lead thanks to tries from Daniel Bedford, Jason Southwell and Karl Adamski, who added two goals.
But after the break Moor took complete controls.
Bedford and Southwell both doubled their tally, while brothers Dave and Daniel Pawson also crossed twice and Tom Connor-Higham and Tom Beaumont added the others.
Adamski completed the scoring with five more goals to complete the scoring.
And, for once, their scoreline was more impressive than Slaithwaite Saracens, who maintained their stroll to the title with a 34-0 win over Illingworth.
Yet even though the Saracens were under-strength, they still won at a canter.
Shaun Mitchell set the ball rolling by outpacing the defence to score wide out after 10 minutes, and the writing was already on the wall.
With Slaithwaite’s defence letting nothing through, further tries were scored by Damian Kenchington, Darren Hawkyard and a second for Mitchell, with Joe Worthington converting to make it 18-0 at the break.
There was little change after the break, with Danny Garside increasing the lead within minutes of the restart and then Matt Lodge charging over in typical fashion for David Holmes to goal.
Stuart Dunbar then completed the scoring with a try in the corner as the Saracens nilled the opposition for the sixth time this season.
There was also a highly impressive victory for Slaithwaite’s second string, who maintained the pressure on leaders Newsome Panthers with a thrilling 17-16 victory at third-placed Burley Lions.
In a thoroughly-entertaining contest, the sides were locked at 16-16 going into the final few minutes, with drop-goal attempts assuming added significance.
After a Lions’ effort rebounded off the bar, Kyle Dyson dropped back ready to attempt a kick, but was thwarted by the on-rushing Burley defence. He had the presence of mind, however, to flick the ball out to Niall Murphy, who coolly slotted the ball between the posts to seal a thrilling victory.
