Yarnbury 22, Bridlington 10

THE Brownberrie Lane ground was looking fantastic in the autumn sunshine, the gently falling leaves giving a perfect backdrop to what should have been a classic encounter.

This match was a repeat of the first-ever league game in the 1987-88 season, which ended in a draw.

Yarnbury took the field with several regulars unavailable, with centre Ben Horner ill and fellow centre Jason Avison away.

With Eddie van Heel a long-term injury, the three-quarter line had an unusual look about it, with Carl Patterson moving into midfield from his regular spot and Oliver Hardaker starting at fly half, veteran Steve Riley on the bench accompanied by the returning Andy Butterfield.

Yarnbury kicked off and immediately put Bridlington under pressure. A ball-steal by marauding flanker Joe Bennett saw the ball spin out to left winger Ellis Gomersall, who took on several defenders to score wide out. Carl Patterson added the extras, so after two minutes it was 7-0.

Patterson then added a penalty when Bridlington were adjudged to be offside in midfield. That made it ten minutes gone and the home side ten points in front.

What followed was a display of reckless backs moves, with the ball whizzing all over the field and achieving nothing.

Close to the half-hour mark, full back Stuart Wilson latched on to a loose ball and linked with the ever-willing Gomersall, who again made it to the try line. This time the conversion was missed.

Brid now started to come into the game and make use of their large forwards. Yarnbury overcommitted to a maul in midfield which allowed No 8 Thompson to break through some weak tackling to score, fly half Arthur adding the conversion.

Centre Patterson left the field with an injury to be replaced by Stephen Riley.

Shortly before half-time, Brid prop Daka was yellow-carded for a shoulder charge which would have made Giant Haystacks wince.

The second half saw the visitors score first with a penalty on the hour from Arthur and the east-coast men were now sniffing victory.

Both sides had scoring opportunities but the chances went begging until the 75th minute, when a Yarnbury line-out on the five-metre line led to a catch-and-drive. This saw Henry Griffiths grab the five-pointer after the first catch-and-drive was stopped but Yarnbury recycled the ball and the second-rower went in low. Riley added the conversion from a tight angle.

A similar chance was also passed up when Yarnbury took a scrum close to 22-metre line rather than touch and catch-and-drive.

With more composure the bonus point should have been secured, something which Yarnbury may regret later in the season.

Yarnbury again had five teams in action, with the seconds and unbeaten thirds taking winning league points against strong opposition in Sheffield Tigers 2nds (36-0 at home) and at Selby 3rds (48-22).

The Nomads (fourths) beat a Keighley Development side 28-10 but the fifths lost 47-32 away to Thirsk 2nds.