Ripon 24 Yarnbury 24

YARNBURY conceded ten points in the closing minutes as they were held to a draw which led to the losing top spot in Yorkshire Two.

The Horsforth side were left to rue the chances they squandered to kill the game off before the Ripon revival.

With influential number eight Jimmy Cryan missing after picking up an injury in training, Yarnbury drafted in second team captain Joe Bennett.

With lock Ian Maycock unavailable Yarnbury were also without one of their key line-out men.

Ripon are traditionally tough opponents with a strong pack, but Yarnbury were first to threaten. Scrum half Nathan Benton broke clear only to be called back for an offside decision.

Yarnbury did make the breakthrough when wing forward George Bowen broke from a ruck and scored near the posts. Jarrod Huss added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Ripon hit back when speedy winger James Audsley-Beck broke clear before clear before putting full back Ben Buckley in for a try which scrum half Bob Whittaker converted.

The remainder of the half was fought mainly in the middle of the park but Yarnbury were denied a try when centre Connor Moreton made the line and touched down against the posts. The referee declined to award a score.

Continued pressure resulted in a penalty which Huss converted for a narrow 10-7 half-time lead.

It was a small advantage after having the benefit of the elements in the first half, but Ripon deserved credit for their resilient defence.

The second half saw Yarnbury captain Jason Avison finding his as he sliced sliced through the centre of the field in text book fashion to touchdown near the posts. The conversion from Huss made it 17-7.

Ripon came back with their second try as the dangerous Audsley-Beck eluded the clutches of left wing Josh Bateson to dive over in the corner. Whittaker converted from the touchline.

Avison scored again in a breakaway with Huss converting to extend the lead. Ripon is a favourite ground for the Yarnbury skipper, but there was no happy ending.

Instead of securing an away win, Yarnbury were pegged back as Ripon rallied under the leadership of second row Iain Barker.

Whittaker kicked a penalty when the Yarnbury defence strayed offside and Ripon secured a draw when prop Dominic Dalby went in for a try which Whittaker converted.