SSE Yorkshire Division Three

Harrogate Pythons 17

Old Grovians 32

LEADERS Old Grovians warmed up for their big SSE Yorkshire Division Three clash at home to third-placed Castleford with a fourth away win in five attempts.

An early mistake gave the visitors a long-range penalty after five minutes, which Adam Weaving converted, and seven minutes later James Yates got their first try.

Pythons responded with a penalty but they then ignored a two-man overlap – an error they repeated twice more in the second half.

Although a foot in touch spared the hosts from conceding a second try, Scott Dickson soon proved too slippery for the home defence, Weaving's conversion making the half-time score 15-3.

Pythons had the slope in their favour in the second half and pinned Grovians in their own half for ten minutes, being held up over the visitors' line before they bagged a converted try.

Only leading 15-10, Grovians responded, and a deliberate offence brought them a penalty try, Weaving converting before excellent combination between Joe Harrison, James Frost and Aaron Magee allowed Yates his second try for a bonus point which increased their lead at the top of the table to two points.

Harry Garforth deserved their fifth try for his industry but, with Old Grovians a man down after a deliberate knock on, Pythons finished proceedings with a converted try.