Yorkshire Division Two: Moortown 54 Old Grovians 5

THE first half showed that Old Grovians do have the capability to compete and keep their discipline (six penalties conceded to Moortown's 11) but the second half showed how they can be their own worst enemy when not learning from what works and what doesn't.

However, this was always going to be a difficult game, with Moortown finding form in their previous five outings and Old Grovians needing to find a winning formula that seems to have been misplaced since their notable wins at the beginning of the season.

The first half was an improvement for the visitors, especially where the forwards were concerned.

The line-outs were better and support and discipline was all greatly improved, and for 10 minutes there was nothing in it.

However, a penalty for bringing up the scrum gave Moortown a chance to gain ground and, from the subsequent line-out, a good set of pick and goes helped them over the line for what would be the first of their eight tries.

The converted try was followed by another five minutes later as Grovians were too slow to move up the pitch and cover wide out.

For the next 15 minutes, though, it was all Old Grovians, who got the upper hand at a line-out and could have been awarded a try as scrum half Harry Dunhill seemd to ground the ball just after the referee blew for a Moortown infringement.

There was no escape for the home side, however, as, less than two minutes later, returning skipper Christian Baines went over for an unconverted try.

The visitors were forcing mistakes and winning penalties and again grounded the ball behind Moortown's line, only for the referee to show a home player a yellow card for playing the ball on the ground.

Mysteriously, however, he didn't award a penalty try, with Moortown then capitalising on a handling error to score a converted pushover try to make the half-time score 21-5.

Seemingly deflated by that late score, Old Grovians' main threats in the second half came from Joe Harrison - the smallest player on the pitch - and Dunhill but the opportunites they created were wasted as possession was given away cheaply.

Old Grovians were still doing the hard work but were missing ta ckles, which resulted in Moortown running in five tries in quick succession to romp away with the match.