Yarnbury 29 West Park 17

YARNBURY held off the determined challenge of their local rivals to stay at the top of the table.

They are unbeaten after 11 games despite having to use 42 players during the campaign.

Captain Jason Avison led his team to victory and a five-point win haul after running in five tries.

West Park had the advantage of the wind in the first half and were rewarded for their early pressure with the first points when Calum Smithson kicked a penalty.

The response from Yarnbury was swift with quick passing getting Josh Bateson over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Further Yarnbury pressure was spoilt when breaks from James White and Bateson resulted in knock-ons as Yarnbury looked to run the ball into the wind rather than kick it away.

The West Park defence was up quickly to stifle the ball in the middle of the park and Yarnbury lost momentum.

The visitors took advantage and scored a try when centre Sam Holton was rewarded for good backing up. Smithson tagged on the conversion.

Yarnbury were determined not to be outplayed and applied pressure from a penalty.

They forced a line-out and from the ensuing ruck, Jimmy Cryan burst through the pack to reach the try line and make it 10-10 at half-time.

West Park took the lead again early in the second half when the pack managed to drive over the line from a five-metre scrum.

The touchdown was awarded to captain Andy Booth. Smithson again converted.

With Ian Maycock and Adam Batson reliable in the line-out, Yarnbury were able to provide good ball for their backs.

Wingers Jack Brown and Ben Meays had good runs before Yarnbury levelled.

Back-row forward Martin Rainey was on the end of a close-in move to score in the corner. Jarrod Huss converted from the touchline.

The final quarter was when Yarnbury showed their character and confidence. Their bonus-point try came from the move of the match.

Quick hands spread the play and stretched the Park defence before the final ball was slipped to the supporting Huss who scored out wide. His conversion hit the post from the touchline.

Yarnbury made their superior fitness and lasting power count. Their pressure was rewarded when prop Lewis Atha used his strength to burst through a tiring defence to score out on the left-hand side.

With the help of the wind, Huss converted to seal the victory.