Thornensians 31 Old Grovians 12

AFTER a week's rest, SSE Yorkshire Three champions Old Grovians missed too many tackles and were too slow to support their team-mates at the breakdown in losing at third-placed Thornensians.

The hosts are strong and well drilled but the visitors started well, and it only seemed a matter of time before they would take the lead in the opening ten minutes.

However, after giving away three penalties inside a minute, some penalties went Thorne's way, including one for not retreating ten metres, and the home side bagged their first try.

In a match that was constantly interrupted by the referee's whistle, Old Grovians took advantage of the south Yorkshire side having a man in the sin bin for a high tackle when centre Anthony Griffin scored in the 35th minute, leaving the half-time score at 5-5.

Thornensians made better use of the ball in the second half and defended well when they didn't have it, scoring three tries in quick succession.

The visitors did manage a second try when Harry Garforth brushed off two would-be tacklers, and Dom Copsey converted, but there was no denying that Thorne were the better team.