SSE Yorkshire Division Three: Old Grovians 50, Northallerton 5

THE chief worry for Martin Whitcombe before this encounter was ring rust.

The second-placed club hadn't played since their 31-6 victory at Baildon on December 13 and were up against third-placed opponents who had not only won the previous weekend but were also one of only two teams to defeat Old Grovians this season.

But Grovians' director of rugby needn't have fretted, despite Northallerton both scoring and having another try controversially ruled out by refereeTim Robinson inside the first quarter

On a bitterly cold, windy afternoon, Grovians ran in seven tries to go back to the top of the table ahead of Castleford, with the Apperley Bridge club having a game in hand because of last week's postponement against Hemsworth.

"We set ourselves a target of 20 points in January," said Whitcombe, whose team have three more home matches this month – against Aireborough, Hemsworth and Harrogate Pythons.

"But it my ambition for us to win every game that we play, and this result sends a message out to everyone that we still have to play."

With Thornensians also going down at home 17-15 to Old Modernians, the gap between the two leaders and Thornensians and Northallerton in third and fourth is now nine points and ten points, which made Whitcombe say: "It is a two-horse race for the title."

The lack of rustiness apart, Whitcombe was also delighted with his team's defensive display in the second half as they chased a third promotion in the eight seasons they have played league rugby.

"We didn't let Northallerton score when they had the elements," he said.

Also pleasing is that old boys from Bradford Grammar School are also coming on board to add to the squad strength that is essentially old boys of Woodhouse Grove.

Having had that early try by prop James Baker ruled out for being held up over the line, the visitors from North Yorkshire were also hampered by first-half injuries to prop Paul Dixon and centres Daniel Luck (who later went back on) and James Hopkin.

However, they took the lead from a try by strong-running fly half Joe Terry, winger Jedd Bainbridge's striking the bar after being blown back by the wind.

By half-time, though, they trailed 24-5, Old Grovians fly half Nathan Barr skilfully converting tries by centres Harry Garforth and Anthony Griffin and Aaron Magee to add to an earlier penalty.

The bonus-point try came five minutes into the second half from skipper and No 8 Christian Baines, and after that it was only a matter of how many the hosts would score and whether they could deny Northallerton a consolation try.

Winger Dion Hendricks, Magee and Baines added further tries, replacement fly half Adam Weaving converting all three, with the only other incident of note being the sin-binning of replacement Charlie Cockshott for seemingly winning line-out ball, the referee thinking he had illegally contacted his opposite number in the air.