Old Brodleians 43 Yarnbury 8

IT has been a long and tiring season for Yarnbury who can now take a well-deserved rest after losing their final game.

Since climbing to third at Christmas after winning promotion to Yorkshire One last May, injuries have taken their toll as they have slipped into mid-table.

Old Brodleians, who had been well beaten when they visited Yarnbury on the first day of the season, gained their revenge over a patched up side.

Yarnbury had a full back line missing and had to call on veteran Stephen Riley to conduct the game from stand-off alongside Nathan Benton in a side captained by James Barrett.

The Horsforth side got off to a bright with Barrett, Ian Maycock and Hugh Griffiths running strongly.

Brods were first to score with a penalty from Danny Wood after Yarnbury were penalised for killing the ball by the exchange referee, Simon O’Neill.

The official upset the Yarnbury contingent again when he disallowed what they felt was a good try by James Barrett because he did not see the grounding.

Yarnbury soon made amends with their best attack of the half which ended with hooker Tom Gilchrist crashing through two tackles to score a fine try.

.Jarrod Huss could not convert the try but converted a penalty close in to increase the lead.

Three further penalties from Wood enabled Brodleians to establish a 12-8 lead at the break.

Yarnbury’s only other chance was when they peeled round a ruck to release winger Alex Clarke but he was well tackled by the oncoming defence.

The second half mirrored Yarnbury’s season as they were hit by a converted try straight after the break from centre Michael Briggs. He repeated the dose soon after with Wood adding the conversions.

Yarnbury forwards had the best of the scrums but could not keep the ball or mount any pressure until the final quarter but by then had conceded two more tries to Wood and winger Alex Brook.

The Yarnbury centre Eddie Van Heel worked hard to create openings with his classic strong running but was well tackled by the home defence.

For the last quarter the Yarnbury pack took the game to the Brodleians’. Wing forward Jimmy Cryan was held up on the ground after doing good work to get to the line.

Yarnbury were throwing the ball about but a dropped pass near the opposition line let in Brods for a breakaway try by flanker Rob Jennings.

Yarnbury Hornets lost an exciting league game 43-38 with the last play of the match. Josh Bell got as brace of tries and winger Sam Cooper, one.

The third team won at Roundhegians 3rds 33-29 to maintain their spot at the top of the league.