YARNBURY maintained their unbeaten run with a frustrating 19-10 win at home to Ripon, punctuated by poor play on both sides and a lack of cohesion due to the many changes made in recent games.

The line-out did not function for the majority of the game as in previous encounters, but fortunately Ripon could not take advantage in a drab game of rugby.

Yarnbury made eight changes following the previous week's draw against Wheatley Hills.

Young Kieran McCauley was drafted in at full back and versatile Nathan Benton filled in at centre for injured James Endersby.

Lewis Atha returned at prop for injured Pete Tennant and the back five in the pack were changed around due to injuries to second row James Falgate and No8 Jimmy Cryan.

With all the changes, the side may have looked experimental but it showed once again the defensive organisation throughout to control the opposition - a credit to coach Bob Hood.

Yarnbury started the game into a breeze and Ripon withstood early pressure, but the breakthrough came on seven minutes with an inter play down the left put wing forward George Bowen clear on 22 metres to score under the posts for stand-off Danny Pound to convert.

Ripon attacked the Yarnbury half and were immediately awarded a penalty for off-side and stand-off Sam Pillar slotted over to cut the home side's lead to 7-3.

Signs of things to come shortly after saw Yarnbury squander a great opportunity on five metres. After being awarded a penalty, they kicked for position but the subsequent line-out failed and the opportunity was lost.

Amends were made in attack soon after, as the backs moved quick attacking ball and created some space and wing Josh Bell did the rest stepping inside and down the middle to score a well-constructed try under the sticks. Pound converted to make it 14-3.

Again Yarnbury could not keep the opponents down, as centre Tommy Newby saw space to get over the line. Tom Leeming converted to make it 14-10.

Just before half-time, Yarnbury broke from their own half but were stopped short of the try line.

The second half was only five minutes old and centre and captain James White broke the defensive line and went over unopposed for Yarnbury’s third try, but it was not converted by Pound in the difficult wind.

Despite a yellow card each for the Ripon back row and the Yarnbury captain, no side could gain further dominance as the game petered out to 19-10 win for the home side.

With all the changes, the points were most important for the Horsforth side, and with a blank league weekend on Saturday injured players will have a chance to heal for further games in February.