Thornensians 20 – 13 Yarnbury

YARNBURY lost ground in the Yorkshire One promotion race due to a last-gasp Thornensians try at the weekend. James Fenwick powered over following a ruck to leave Yarnbury with only a losing bonus point to show for their efforts.

Yarnbury travelled without influential second row Ian Maycock, with Tom Warriner replacing him. Josh Bateson was back on the wing with Joe Pinnick moving to full back to accommodate him.

The home side started well, taking control of ball and territory to camp by the Yarnbury 22 metre line.

Firstly, Fenwick got on the end of a close in score after the pack made ground. Then, strong running centre Dean Roberts crashed over before Yarnbury had even got their hands on the ball.

Yarnbury finally got going and the backs looked dangerous out wide, with wingers Bateson and Graham Maycock making good ground but efforts were stifled by a desperate home defence, who have struggled for points this season.

Dan Pound added Yarnbury's first points with a penalty before the home defence was split by centre James White in midfield. Wing forward George Bowen was on the end of a pacy attack to leave Yarnbury only 10-8 behind at the break.

Both sides lost players to double yellow cards and had to play most of the second half with fourteen men, as the game deteriorated in quality and became a battle of attrition on the soft ground.

Yarnbury had the best of the third quarter and after several break outs from their own half, they managed to get Bateson away. He rounded his winger and then took the inside gap to score.

Pound missed the conversion which meant that the scores were level at 13 –13. Maycock then left the field with a knock as both sides searched for the win.

Just as the game was coming to an end, an attack near the Yarnbury try line saw Fenwick break from a ruck and score under the posts.

Stand off Tom Holt converted to leave Yarnbury shattered and with only a solitary point to their name.