TITLE favourites Bamber Bridge proved too hot for Accrington Panthers, scoring a 24-14 victory at Livingstone Road.

Brig are out in front in the North West Men’s Rugby League League Division Two and they showed why with a powerful performance.

The visitors were ahead after five minutes, landing a try and a conversion, and then some quck handling skills saw Bamber Bridge increase their lead to 12-0 with another converted try.

Panthers clawed their way back into the contest, though, Leon Fifield scoring in the corner to reduce the deficit, although the home failed to convert.

That proved costly as Brig replied with another try, taking an 18-4 lead in to the half-time break.

It was nip and tuck in the opening stages of the second period, before Ian Wagstaff crashed over in the left hand corner to score.

Once again Panthers failed to convert and almost immediately Bamber Bridge scored a converted try to seal a comfortable win.

There was time for a last ditch try for Panthers, Zak Child going over, but it was only a consolation for Panthers who never gave up the fight.

The Panthers return to action on Saturday when they travel to Pilkington Recs.

Their next home game sees them take on Eccleston Lions on August 17 (2.30pm)