KIRKBY Lonsdale retained their two point lead at the top of North One West with a 32-15 away to Rochdale.

Captain Ben Walker got things started for Kirkby with a solo try before Rochdale hit back straight away – but Lwazi Ngcumgama got a brace to give the visitors a strong cushion.

Rochdale scored at the end of the first half but after the break it was all Kirkby as David Bird and Pablo Kwiczor went over and Walker got his second.

Kirkby were without stand-off Dave Barton and flanker Stuart Storeyfor the match so Jack Akrigg moved to number 10 from centre while Harry Ralston played in the vacant 13 position and Ryan Terry was at full back.

Scrum half Walker’s first try came after just four minutes as he played a couple of dummies to throw off the Rochdale defence before a jink inside took him past the last defender and over the line.

Centre Tom Pickthall added the extras in the only successful kick at goal in the game before Rochdale hit back instantly down the right with a conversion to level the score.

Kirkby were then awarded a penalty just outside the Rochdale 22 and while the home side were drifting back for what they thought would be a kick at goal, Kirkby flanker Ngcumgama took a tap and ran away unopposed to score.

The third score came after good work from the whole Kirkby team where after several phases of possession Ngcumgama eventually broke through to score his second.

The lead was 17-7 after 26 minutes but it was Rochdale who scored next as Kirkby gave away a sequence of penalties in tackles. which took the home side within range and Rochdale also slotted a kick on the stroke of half-time.

Two minutes into the second half Kirkby missed a penalty but hooker Matt Hoyland then put in a good run down the left to feed winger Bird who evaded a couple of tackles to score the bonus point try in the left corner.

Four minutes later Walker was back in action to get Kirkby’s fifth when he cut through from 10 metres out before Kwiczor added the sixth.