YARNBURY were missing several experienced forwards for their Yorkshire Two home fixture with Wheatley Hills, and that disadvantage in the set pieces proved costly as they lost 22-15.

Hills retained much of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, but the Yarnbury defence was strong in keeping out the big forwards and were then able to attack through their own forwards, coming away with a fortunate score.

Veteran James Daffern, filling in for player-coach Tom Gilchrist (ill) at hooker, charged down a defensive kick and reacted before the defence to touch down.

With stand-off Danny Pound converting, the hosts moved into a seven point lead.

After 20 minutes, Wheatley bundled over after forward pressure finally told and No 8 Chris Bless scored from close in after several scrums and forward charges. Owen McGilvray converted to level the scores.

Yarnbury looked dangerous when they got hold of the ball and wingers Tom Bowman and Josh Bell made good ground, but the defence stood firm.

Bless then scored from a pushover try to edge the visitors in front, but McGilvray missed the subsequent conversion.

Although they were outmuscled in the scrums, Yarnbury managed to keep the score close until the end of the half and then equalised straight after the break.

Wheatley were penalised for killing the ball and substitute second row Sam Hodgson managed to get over from close range, taking several defenders with him over the line. Pound failed to add the extras.

Wheatley replied with a third try as prop Paul Pinner went through a gap from close in to score. That score was converted.

Yarnbury were close to another try but took the penalty for their efforts to close the gap.

Unfortunately, they were then penalised in front of the posts and McGilvray converted.

The away side managed to hold out in the closing stages of the game to thwart Yarnbury, despite centre and captain James White going close to bringing his team level.

The hosts did well to keep the score tight with such little possession and need to get back some experience, as they go in search of a much needed win at Barnsley next week ahead of the Christmas break.