Yorkshire Division Two: Old Grovians 7 Old Rishworthians 49

ON A very warm afternoon, Old Grovians had to call on some notable former players in Paul Exley, Mark Lister Gareth Phillips and Mark Heap, who hadn't trained or played recently, to make up the numbers for what was always going to be a difficult game.

Rishworthians, who proved the previous week that they are strong and well drilled, looked menacing from the off and managed a converted pushover try.

However, Old Grovians competed well from the restart, Mathew Worrall earning them a penalty, which went wide.

But, from a line-out on Rish's 22, the hosts fed the ball through the backs, Anthony Griffin going through the centre and being brought down just short.

However, he reached out to place the ball over the line for Ben Brown to convert.

The visitors then added two more tries, the first of which looked to contain a forward pass, before Old Grovians lost Griffin with a shin injury incurred when he was running at the visitors.

Rish added another converted try to lead 28-7 at half-time, and added two converted tries in the second half, but the margin would have been greater were it not for Old Grovians' forwards competing throughout the second half.

Man of the match James Johnstone put his body on the line in the tackles, Jamie Benashour's work rate in the heat was exceptional, while Worrall menaced the Rish forwards, chasing every high ball.

Old Grovians, at promoted Wetherby next week, will have some players back, but can also take heart at how they reduced the penalty count.