Battling Yarnbury defeated

Old Brodleians 18

YARNBURY continued their recent good form with a battling performance away from home against a side two leagues above.

Despite atrocious conditions both sides attempted to play open rugby and put on an entertaining spectacle for the Halifax crowd.

During the opening stanza, Yarnbury faced wave after wave of attacks close to their line. However, tenacious tackling from full-back Billy Thompson and flanker Sean Craven ensured Yarnbury's line wasn't breached.

Playing into the teeth of a strong gale Yarnbury had limited opportunities to escape playing up the steep slope.

Nevertheless, during an infrequent foray up field John Bramham was tackled short of the line after both forwards and backs combined in an enterprising move.

Brods kicked a penalty and just before half-time they scored from close range after a driving maul from a line-out.

Despite the 8-0 deficit Yarnbury were confident of victory now with the elements and slope in their favour. A Steve Lee penalty closed the gap to 8-3 after Thompson had a try disallowed when the referee stated he could not see him grounding the ball.

Brods fought back immediately and against the run of play broke away to score an unconverted try.

Yarnbury replied by taking calculated risks in attack. Steve Galbraith putting Chris Lilley in space again to be deprived of scoring by a last ditch tackle.

With Yarnbury deep in the Brod's half a loose pass allowed Brod's speedy winger to break away up field. Phil Deacon somehow managed to tackle the winger into the corner. On falling into touch over the flag the ball was thrown in field and Brods scored to the amazement of all the players.

Deacon's verbal chastisement of the referee's decision brought him a reprimand and Brod's a penalty at the following kick-off.

Despite their frustration, Yarnbury hit back with a try scored by hooker Dave Smith, who burrowed his way under a mass of bodies. Galbraith kicked an excellent touchline conversion.

A frantic last few minutes saw Yarnbury camped on the Brod's line without being able to penetrate. Despite the result, Yarnbury played well and showed plenty of character. This will be needed in abundance for Saturday's trip to Hartlepool TDSOB, currently second in NE Division Three.

Burley Firsts 7

Yarnbury Hornets 35

On a damp and miserable day Yarnbury Hornets travelled to local rivals Burley for what is always an interesting contest. The game started quietly with Burley using the wind well.

Edgar opened the scoring with a penalty after 15 minutes but Burley soon responded.with a well worked try from their elusive fly-half and this was converted.

The Hornets replied through Edgar who danced over the try line once again and then converted.

The Hornets broke free from their own half in the seond period through Sharpe before powerhouse veteran second row Graham Riley winged over from five yards.

Arnott then followed with a good individual try but both went unconverted.

Yarnbury made the most of their extra man after a Burley second row was dismissed for over zealous use of his hands.

Carl Horan went in for an individual try which went unconverted by the now dazed Edgar who appeared to be suffering from a high tackle earlier in the game.

Riley capped a fine performance with his second try but the wily veteran managed to avoid buying the hat-trick jug of ale by doing everything he could to avoid the ball in the latter stages.

N Ribblesdale B 0

Yarnbury Thirds 52

Yarnbury thirds again played opposition from higher leagues and again came away with an excellent result.

Yarnbury pack were able to secure the much needed quick ball to allow Yarnbury backs to score out wide through Rob Swann, Steffan Patterson and Martin Lunn. the forwards, not to be outdone, scored themselves through Rob Taylor, after good work from the returning Andy Bell.

The second-half followed the same path as the first with North Ribb' putting up a brave defence, but never up to the tempo of the game which Yarnbury chose to play.

Second-half tries came from Andy Bell (2), Rob Swann and Steff Patterson, who again came away from this game with great credit and 20 points.

On Saturday the Thirds travel with the Firsts to play Hartlepool TDSOB and to celebrate with Steffan Patterson, who gets married next month.

Yarnbury Fourths 25

Burley Seconds 7

Yarnbury Fourths welcomed centre Pete Burn back for his first game of the season, and his strength in midfield defence and attack showed against a strong, robust Burley side who were finally overcome by a far superior Yarnbury pack.

With the front row of Bob Ford, Arthur Smith and Paul Trigg completely dominant, Yarnbury won an uncountable number of scrums against the head, to deprive the Burley team the ball for the majority of the game.

Skipper Fred Harrison opened Yarnbury's account with a fine opportunist try, added to by an Adam Stephenson try in the first-half.

With Burley completely on the back foot, hooker Arthur Smith finished off a good forward move, Stephenson added his second and Paul Beardow scored Yarnbury's fifth try after Burley had opened their account with a converted try.

Yarnbury's backs showed the occasional glimpse of quality but the final pass was often spilled, whereas the pack show complete authority with Steve Gairn and Adam Stephenson outstanding.

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