Yarnbury 23 Wath 11

YARNBURY are managing their playing resources on a weekly basis and coming up with the results to stay top of Yorkshire Two.

Once again changes had to be made, particularly in the backs, with new boy James White joining up with Callum Smithson in the centre while Josh Bateson and Connor Megson were on the wings.

Adam Batson was in the second row for his first game of the season against a combative Wath side.

Wath showed their commitment from the start retaining the ball and making ground through their forwards.

Yarnbury lost their first line-out giving more ground to the visitors and a penalty for offside kept the pressure on.

A counter by winger Bateson and centre Connor Moreton threatened to bring a try before Yarnbury were penalised for going over the top.

Yarnbury were giving away too many penalties in their enthusiasm to get hands on the ball and Wath stand-off Jack Whitham opened the scoring with a successful kick at goal.

Yarnbury were dangerous on the counter attack and from another Bateson run and five-metre line-out prop Richard Lister grounded the ball close in for the first Yarnbury try. Jarrod Huss converted from wide out.

Further pressure saw Huss convert a penalty to extend the lead at half-time.

Yarnbury continued to apply pressure and winger Bateson was stopped short.

Wath continued to compete and winger Sam Holt slipped between three players to score a try to close the gap to 10-8.

The visitors went ahead when Yarnbury were penalised for offside and Whitham landed the goal.

Yarnbury hit back and regained the lead with a Huss penalty which made it 13-11.

Wath still sensed there was a chance of victory and were encouraged by the home side's propensity to concede penalties.

Eventually, Yarnbury got the break they needed. Centre White sent Huss looping wide left to race in from 50 metres out.

Captain Jimmy Cryan and second row Reece Leighton put in some big hits before full back George Oldridge intercepted a stray pass from the Wath backs as they tried to open up the home defence and raced 50 metres to confirm another hard-fought win.