Pennine League Division Four West: Silsden 10 Birkenshaw 52

PLAYING their third game in a week to catch up with their fixture backlog, Silsden just managed to field 13 players against the league leaders.

Nevertheless, they started with some strong tackling and creative attacking play to register the first points. Jason Scott combined with James Bowdin to put Kris Stell in at the corner.

The crowd were entertained with some good quality rugby from both sides, but Birkenshaw were the next to trouble the scorers when a sweeping move led to a try in the corner, improved by a touchline conversion.

Things got worse for Silsden when the restart sailed out on the full and Birkenshaw used the possession and position to good effect to post another converted try.

Back came Silsden and Ben Ross took advantage of some great work from Jonny Crowther and Bowdin to carry three would-be tacklers over the line, the try being goaled by Charlie Lowrie.

Birkenshaw fought back when their speedy winger finished off a move from a drop out, again with the extras being added.

The pace – and the effects of the mid-week game – were now telling on Silsden and the visitors posted another two tries to give them a 28-10 interval lead.

The second period got tougher still as Crowther had to leave the field with a knee injury, followed by Bowdin. With others also nursing knocks, the Birkenshaw attack found more space to make the most of their attacking skills and posted five more tries.

Scott, Lowrie and Phil Stephenson were outstanding for Silsden, but the whole team deserve credit for never giving up against the odds and building team spirit for their encounter with East Leeds in the Supplementary Cup final at Batley on Bank Holiday Monday (11am).