Yarnbury 30 Thornensians 14

FULL back George Oldridge ran in four tries as Yarnbury bagged another win in their bid to force their way back into the Yorkshire Two promotion race.

The match saw second team captain Tom Whitfield come in at hooker to become the 44th player to appear for the Horsforth side this season.

Yarnbury took the game to Thornensians from the start with the boot of full back Oldridge pinning the away side back in their own 22.

Yarnbury squandered a great chance to open the scoring when the final pass went behind winger Graham Maycock with the line open.

Thornensians defended well in the first quarter but it was no surprise when Oldridge made the most of an overlap on the right to score the first try.

Thornensians came more into the game and their pack put pressure on the home side.

A succession of penalties and building pressure saw Thornensians score through their number eight and captain James Fenwick.

The game became attritional as both sides fought for control of the game.

Yarnbury were feeding off scraps of possession but just before half-time the backs feeding they created space for Oldridge to score his second try.

The lead was extended early in the second half. A quick tap penalty from scrum half Nathan Benton saw Oldridge following up to complete his hat-trick.

This was followed by another sweeping move up the right with lock Ian Maycock involved and making ground before prop Lewis Atha burst through would be tacklers to score the bonus-point try.

Thornensians were not out of this game and pressure from their pack on the Yarnbury line led to referee Mark Smith finally loose patience as the penalty count rose and award a penalty try.

Yarnbury responded with a Danny Pound penalty before that man Oldridge had the final say.

Substitute scrum half Cameron Newby got quick ball away from the scrum and that enabled centres Jason Avison and James White to put Oldridge in for his fourth try.

Pound's conversion sealed a satisfying win.