EMLEY MOOR and Meltham All Blacks made sure the Huddersfield flag was flying high after the latest round of Pennine League fixtures.

Moor, Slaithwaite Saracens, Newsome Panthers, Meltham and Slaithwaite A are all going well in their respective divisions and look set to make serious title challenges.

But it was Second Division Moor and the Division V All Blacks who led the way with eye-catching triumphs.

The men from Emley are now the top of their division after a 25-18 triumph at Dodworth, while Meltham have leapfrogged Slaithwaite A into second as a result of their 38-24 triumph at Burley Lions.

And that Meltham move will have hit the Saracens’ second string doubly hard after they suffered a shock 62-6 thrashing at Hollinwood.

In fact, it was a bad day all round for Slaithwaite as their first team suffered a 10-4 home defeat at the hands of Halifax Irish and surrendered top spot in the Premier Division in the process.

It was evident from the early exchanges that this was going to be a tough game.

But when Simon Burkinshaw went over after six minutes, it looked like the Saracens were on their way.

That hope began to fade, however, as Halifax levelled the scores after 30 minutes, with both teams battling to gain the upper hand.

Right on half-time Halifax scored again to take a six-point interval lead, and that was ultimately to make all the difference in the world.

Even though the Saracens threw everything they had at the Irish in the second half they just couldn’t unlock the visitors’ defence, meaning the Halifax side held on for a deserved win.

There was also bitter disappointment for Newsome, who were beaten 56-30 at Methley Royals in their Division I top-of-the-table clash.

The damage was done in the opening half as the Royals charged into a 56-6 lead.

But the Panthers did rally after the break, scoring tries through Will Wallace (twice), Steve Farrell and Dominic Newton to add to George Ward’s first-half try and Ross Studholme’s goal.

Another side smarting at the weekend were Second Division Underbank Rangers.

A week ago they were flying high after their 60-point home thrashing of West Craven Warriors, but were brought back down to earth with a bump as they suffered a heavy 38-6 defeat at the hands of fellow mid-table team Brotherton Bulldogs.

At the same time, the emotion for fellow Division II team Lindley Swifts will be one of frustration after having another fixture postponed.