Askam 22 Bradford Dudley Hill 16

ASKAM ended Dudley Hill’s 100 per cent start to the National Conference Division Two season in a hard-fought game which went to the final whistle.

The Villages were quick out of the blocks, scoring two tries in the opening eight minutes through Mark Tyson and Joe Dowsett. Kristian Tyson converted both and his side led 12-0.

With both sets of players defending strongly, the score did not change until the 30th minute, when a loose pass by an Askam player in his own 20-metre zone allowed winger Damion Smith to go in at the corner. Simon Sewell converted and, with no more scoring, the game reached half-time with Askam leading 12-6.

Dudley Hill reduced the arrears after 54 minutes when winger Neil Wall scored an unconverted try.

But the hosts struck back as Ben Lewney scored out wide and Kristian Tyson kicked the conversion to put them eight points in front with 18 minutes to go.

Lewney improved Askam’s lead further with an interception try from inside his own half, out-pacing the covering defence to score an unconverted try. The visitors reduced the arrears to six points with six minutes remaining when substitute Lewis Evans scored near to the posts and Sewell converted.

It led to a tense finish, but Askam’s defence held firm to the final whistle, with man-of-the-match Tom Wilkinson leading the way for a well-deserved win.