Whitehall made a confident, unbeaten Bank Top Harriers work hard for their win but once again a shortage of players sealed the Warriors fate.

Up to the half time whistle the game was anybody’s with both teams playing excellent rugby.

Out of contract Keighley player, Adam Mitchell, was instrumental in the Harriers win as he organised his team superbly and utilized his huge centre to full effect sending him in for a hat trick of tries.

Half backs, Ricky Middleton and Baz Stead, were running the show for the Warriors and Richard Casanove and Pete Williams were the backbone of the Whitehall forwards.

On 27 minutes the Warriors fought back from an 8-0 deficit when centres Scargill and Barraclough took the ball deep into the Bank Top half. Ricky Middleton danced across his line and dropped off ace try scoring machine Andy Green who split the defence on a great angled run to bring the half time score to 10-6.

Injuries to Dugdale, Simpson, Johnson and a broken hand to Pep Scargill decimated the Whitehall team. Replacements Lee Walmsley, veterans Mick Williams and Bomber Beaumont, and 16-year old Josh Hopkinson never took a backward step but they couldn’t stop the inevitable outcome as Bank Top raced in for two more tries.

At 20-6 down, Whitehall could have just conceded defeat but instead they gave their best spell of rugby as they counter attacked through James Spivey, Andy Sadler and Simon Howland.

The Harriers defended grimly but couldn’t contain the power of Captain Baz Stead as he forced his way through a clutch of defenders and his outstretched arm planted the ball firmly between the sticks. An easy conversion by Middleton brought Whitehall to within 8 points with 6 minutes remaining.

Andy Green led the Warriors onslaught with his "never say die" attitude but time ran out and Bank Top ran out worthy winners.

Whitehall coach, Richard Darkes, praised his Warriors for their efforts but slated other so called team members who are not showing the commitment necessary for playing the tough sport of rugby league.

On Saturday Whitehall are away to a struggling Undercliffe.