Bradford & Bingley 25, Caldy 29

This game may have been effectively a dead rubber for both sides but it was a far from half-hearted affair.

The two teams got stuck in with surprising vigour from the first whistle.

And, frustratingly for the regulars at Wagon Lane, they witnessed yet another performance in which the Bees looked on top for long periods, only for victory to prove elusive.

Caldy supporters were left wondering why they were facing a relegated side who were consistently bettering a team that was one win away from promotion.

The Bees fielded a number of players who have not been regular starters but they all showed promise – something head of coaching Nic Corrigan will take great heart from for next season.

Up front, Joe McArthur was involved in everything the Bees did well in the tight, while flanker Sam Hoobs showed tremendous athleticism at every breakdown. Scrum half Richard Scull had his best game in a Bees first-team shirt.

The hosts were fastest out of the blocks and scores from Guy Ford and Jim McBirnie were only a fair reflection of their superiority in the opening quarter.

The visitors were able to reply with a score on around 30 minutes through Callister, with the ever-reliable Richard Vasey adding the extras.

With an earlier drop goal already on the scoreboard, Caldy were level, despite being second best.

The Bees took the lead with a peach of a try from James Morton followed by another five-pointer from opposite winger Ash Walker.

The visitors began the second half looking much stronger, and their big pack began to work the Bees back up field.

The three scores they ran in to snatch the win probably were a fair reflection of their increasing dominance in the second half.

But the Bees initial impetus in the first 40 should have been enough to see them home.