Pontefract 43 Yarnbury 15

YARNBURY were outscored six tries to three as they lost their unbeaten record and surrendered top spot in Yorkshire Two to Pontefract.

They went into the game in confident mood after ten matches without defeat, but the more clinical finishing of the home side proved decisive.

George Oldridge was back at full back while James Falgate returned to partner Ian Maycock in the second row.

Yarnbury made a bright start but soon found themselves two tries down.

Firstly, wing Stu Sanderson intercepted a looping pass to race over and then an awkward bounce fell invitingly for Matthew Bacon to slip through the defence to give his centre partner and captain Craig Fawcett the second try. Both scores were converted by Liam Kay for a 14-0 lea and Yarnbury were further hampered by being reduced to 14 men when a yellow card was brandished for a technical offence.

Yarnbury were unfazed by the early setbacks and hit back when left winger Josh Bateson got on the end of a tight move to score in the corner.

The strong running of centre James White was a problem for the home backs and Yarnbury were soon rewarded with a second try.

A miss-move distracted the Pontefract defence and Yarnbury worked the ball quickly right for winger Jack Brown to stroll.

The game was certainly opening up but Yarnbury were again profligate with the ball as they lost it in contact on several occasions.

With the line-out not working well it meant Yarnbury did not have enough decent ball to get on top. As the first half wound down, Pontefract seized the initiative working space up the left side for winger Sanderson to sprint over. Kay’s conversion and with a Kay conversion Yarnbury had it all to do in the second half.

The Horsforth side’s cause wasn’t helped when number eight Jimmy Cryan was unable to come out for the second half

Pontefract continued to pen Yarnbury back with stand-off Glen Boyd using his boot to good effect.

Pontefract extended their lead when a surge by their forward saw hooker Phil Lane awarded the try which Kay converted.

Jarrod Huss missed two penalties for Yarnbury before a further unconverted try went to Pontefract’s Craig Fawcett.

Yarnbury pressure was finally rewarded when second row Ian Maycock get over but Huss missed the conversion with the Pontefract side charging out quickly.

Disappointingly, Yarnbury were unable to come up with a fourth try which would have earned them a bonus point and retain their place at the top of the table.

Pontefract took the sting out of the game with a penalty goal and finally worked the ball down the right for hooker Jonny Hill to finish off an entertaining afternoon.

The result leaves the two teams level on points but Pontefract lead by virtue of having secured one more win.