Eight straight for Old Grovians

Mental toughness, desire, sheer bloody mindedness and a refusal to quit in the face of adversity saw Old Grovians to an eighth straight victory in the league and maintain their place at the top of Yorkshire Four.

Even before kick off, Old Grovians were dealt a blow with the news that fly-half and top points scorer, Adam Weaving was ruled out with a shoulder injury sustained in last week's win over Knaresborough. His replacement, Joel Bradley fell ill overnight and so Ben Brown moved to ten.

Within two minutes Old Grovians had to shuffle their pack as well when prop Dan Gullick had to be helped from the field with suspected knee ligament damage. Veteran lock, Dave Roberts rolled back the years, moving to prop and regular no 8 Tom Dalton was introduced to the seocnd row.

So many changes were bound to disrupt the rhythm of the team and so it proved. Against a big Mosborough pack, Old Grovians struggled to gain a foothold in the game as Mosborough scored the first try.

Old Grovians have added a cohesion to their natural flair this season and that's what got them into this game. From a lineout on Mosborough's 22 came a set move which split the home defence wide open.

Hooker Matt Worrall looped around to receive the ball and timed his short pass to Dalton perfectly - who hit the line at pace, brushing off would-be tacklers as he ploughed his way under the posts and in the blink of an eye Old Grovians had a 7-5 lead by half-time.

Old Grovians switched Griffin and Hogg and introduced Aaron Magee on the wing - moves which gave them an added dimension on the counter attack in a second half but Mosborough scored again to lead 10-7.

Undeterred, the visitors hit straight back. Now the defensive line was closing down Mosborough's players quicker, Old Grovians were committing more players to the breakdown and securing better ball and although the pack continued to come under pressure, the set piece was more stable, helped in part by Ryan Brown and Tom Dalton's ability to pick up the ball and make ground around the edges.

Consequently the try which restored Old Grovians' lead must have given their forwards a huge confidence boost. It was without question the game’s turning point as finally Worrall spotted a gap around the edge of the ruck and twisting and turning managed to dive over and score. It was a lead which the visitors wouldn’t relinquish again.

Old Grovians thought they had clinched the game when Hogg raced on to another Brown kick. The visitors thought they should have had a penalty try for a push but the referee thought otherwise. Instead Old Grovians were awarded a penalty 25 metres out, wide on the right, which Brown converted to extend their lead to seven.

In the closing moments, Mosborough's lock was shown a straight red for stamping but that should not detract from what was a thoroughly absorbing encounter.