Bradford & Bingley 51, Yarnbury 19

THE British winter had one more icy blast to throw at South African player Gerhard Nortier.

The 26-year-old from Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape has already had sun, rain and gale-force winds to contend with.

And just to send him on his way back home, there was snow and hail coming out of what were mostly slate-grey skies as Bradford & Bingley's first team returned to Wagon Lane after a six-week absence caused by the Boxing Day floods.

Keighley Cougars have already expressed a liking for the Bees player but he explained: "I have been handed a trial with Currie Cup team Griquas as they need a fly half and I am flying back today.

"But I certainly hope that I can bring my weather knowledge to bear in South Africa, such as keeping my team-mates closer and my passes shorter when it rains!"

Former rugby union referee John Riley, who is Yarnbury's assistant treasurer, admitted: "He's far too good for our level."

Nortier added: "I have learnt from everyone while I have been over here but I have no doubt that the Bees will gain promotion – and when the pitches get firmer we will be unstoppable."

Referee John Wolstenholme admitted that pitch conditions were 50-50 before kick-off and asked both teams if they wanted to shorten the second half due to the biting cold and intermittent snow and hail that was blowing down the valley onto an already saturated playing surface.

The hosts were 34-0 ahead at half-time but relegation-threatened Yarnbury fought back with three tries to make the score 39-17 with 18 minutes left and, understandably, did not want to stop as they were within sight of a valuable bonus point for scoring four tries.

In the end, the Yorkshire Division One contest went the full distance, give or take a minute or so, and the brave spectators were treated to handling by both sides that was much better than anyone had a right to expect in the conditions.

However, dogged defence denied Yarnbury that fourth try and their head coach Bob Hood said: "The handling of both teams was very good, particularly in the second half.

"We have a very good chance of staying up as we have beaten Bradford Salem, North Ribblesdale and York and drawn with Scarborough."

On a pitch that was heavy and cut up badly, the visitors showed decent ball retention before the home side got away with a forward pass in the build-up to centre Taylor Fiddes' opening try in the eighth minute, winger Adam Mitchell's pass inside being knocked to the floor for Lachlan Moore to pick up and put Fiddes over.

Two penalties conceded by Yarnbury was the prelude to the second home try after 21 minutes, No 8 Tom Cummins getting on the end of a pushover effort.

The Bees then showed fine handling and excellent support play as full back Ben Greaves and Mitchell went over in the 23rd and 27th minutes to secure the four-try bonus point, Nortier, Mitchell, Fiddes and Moore all playing their part in the build-ups.

Scrum half Richard Scull, who took over kicking duties after Nortier missed the opening two conversions, improved Greaves' try – but it was hard not to feel sorry when Yarnbury conceded a fifth try in the 38th minute, Nortier picking the ball up in an advanced position after the referee had warned the Bees to get back onside.

Scull again converted – but there was still time for replacement back Nick Gore to add a sixth try a minute later as the hosts continued to batter Yarnbury's right-side defence.

Cummins bagged a second try in the 59th minute but, either side of that, Yarnbury also showed what they were capable of with excellent close-quarter passing and backing up that led to tries for lock Ian Maycock (49 minutes), flanker Tom Gilchrist (54) and their man of the match, No 8 Jimmy Cryan (62).

The visitors were now scenting that fourth try for a bonus point that would undoubtedly have caused the referee to bring the match to a premature halt. Yet stubborn Bradford & Bingley not only denied them that but went past the 50-point mark themselves with tries by Gore and Scull, the latter converting Gore's try.

The Bees, who beat Yarnbury 52-8 at Brownberrie Lane in September, remain top of the table, five points ahead of second-placed Malton & Norton with a game in hand, while Yarnbury are fourth from bottom, two places and four points above a demotion place.

However, Old Crossleyans, who are currently in that second-bottom berth, have two games in hand.