Optimism is well founded as Yarnbury triumph again (From Wharfedale Observer)

Optimism is well founded as Yarnbury triumph again

12:30pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport By Sportsdesk

Yarnbury 32, Castleford 13

Yarnbury welcomed their Yorkshire neighbours to Horsforth for an eventful SSE Yorkshire Division Two game.

The home side, who had used nearly 30 players in their first three league games due to work, injuries and holidays, were looking for their third win from four matches as they sat fourth in the table.

Last weekend was no different, with another shuffle seeing veteran Stephen Riley fit-ting in at full back and Lee Mortimer back for his first appearance of the season in the centre at short notice for Jason Avieson (working).

It was no suprise that Castleford took the lead with a Ian Mattison penalty after early pressure before Yarnbury had seen any possess-ion, and a hard afternoon seemed in prospect.

Yarnbury’s forwards began to retain some ball, however, and No 8 Jimmy Cryan and lock Henry Griffiths showed their strength and commitment in taking the battle to the belligerent Castleford pack, where too many high tackles were flying in.

Nevertheless, Yarnbury’s pack drove to the line for hooker Tom Gilcrist to score.

Castleford lost their scrum half for ten minutes for a foul before Carl Patterson, returning at No 10, began to spray passes all over the park to give Robert Rigby chance to make ground and put the other winger in at the corner for Yarnbury’s second try.

Yarnbury scored a third try from right winger Rigby on the 40-minute mark and Patt-erson converted a penalty for a further Castleford infringement.

A fourth try, and the bonus point, arrived from another catch and drive at the line-out for Gilchrist to come up with his second try of the game, Patterson converting.

Castleford lost their wing forward due to foul play before their left winger Martin Dye scored a consolation try for the visitors, and Alex Clarke scored his second towards the end.

With injured players returning, Yarnbury, who are at Bradford Salem on Saturday, will look to consolidate near the top of the table.

* Yarnbury Hornets’ young side won their Merit League game at Pontefract Seconds 47-24, with George Aldridge converting six out of seven.

Tom Whitfield (2), Ben Wainwright (2) Jack Butler and Alex Thorpe were among the scorers.

Yarnbury Thirds lost 55-17 to Castleford Seconds, Ben Carey scoring a try for Yarnbury.