Old Grovians 32

Yarnbury 31

YARNBURY opened their season at local opponents Old Grovians at Apperley Bridge in summer conditions with hopes high for a new season with their young team and new coaching set up

They fielded an inexperienced senior side under captain James White and a young pack but with some experience on the bench with James Barrett and Craig Barker.

The back three looked to have pace out wide with Jack Brown back at full-back with his pace on the counter.

This was apparent from the off after Grovians' Ben Brown had slotted a penalty to open the scoring, as Yarnbury proceeded to outflank the home side with their pace putting wingers firstly Josh Bell in on the right and then Josh Bateson in on the left.

Stand-off Danny Pound converted the first try and then had the second conversion crossed off by referee Graham Rackstraw as the final decision.

Yarnbury could not kick on and impose their dominance and strong running centre Anthony Griffin shrugged off some poor tackling to score a converted try for Grovians.

Yarnbury gave away too many penalties and scrum-half Brown booted two over for six points and Grovians were back in the game. With centre Gaz Phillips helping himself to a try close in, Grovians went ahead at the break 21-10.

The second half was a scrappy affair with Yarnbury replacing second row James Falgate with seasoned campaigner Barrett to give some guidance to the young pack and Barker on in the back row for Alex Crowther.

However, mistakes in handling in attack frustrated the Horsforth side and they went further behind to breakaway tries to influential stand-off Alex Masterson and Brown as the contest swung in favour of the home side.

In a rip -roaring final quarter, Yarnbury got their act together with two tries from full-back Jack Brown and a second from Bateson and conversions from Pound took Yarnbury to within one point of the opponents.

They had their chances to win the game in the second half as the home side were running out of steam, but they held on for a first win against their Horsforth neighbours.

Yarnbury had to be content with two points for outscoring Grovians by five tries to four and a losing bonus point.