Old Grovians 50 Harrogate Pythons 5

LEADERS Old Grovians warmed up for their Yorkshire Three clash at second-placed Castleford next Saturday with this eight-try romp, with skipper Christian Baines getting three tries.

Other tries on a day when the contest was dominated by the referee’s whistle went to Jack Hartley (2), Aaron Magee, Nathan Barr and Anthony Griffin.

Despite the influential Harry Garforth suffering an injury during the warm-up, Joe Harrison stepping in, the hosts named a strong squad that included Anthony Cadman and John Oakes.

Dom Copsey had an early effort thwarted by a foot in touch but fellow winger Magee jinked his way towards the line to score.

Five minutes later, the powerful Baines got his first try from the back of a scrum on Pythons’ five-metre line and Barr got the third try following a line-out and maul, the try-scorer adding the conversion for a 17-0 lead.

Old Grovians secured the bonus point with a Hartley try from another line-out win by Lawrence, Barr converting for 24-0 despite slipping just as he kicked the ball.

Five minutes later, Adam Weaving’s interception put Baines in for his second try, Weaving converting for 31-0.

Baines completed his hat-trick soon after and could have had a fourth were it not for a fumble.

Pythons did get on the scoreboard after the home side gave away the ball in their half but the hosts finished on top.

Hartley got his second try with a powerful run from halfway. Griffin then completed the try scoring, while Weaving converted the final two scores to round off a convincing triumph.