Yorkshire Division Two: Old Grovians 48 Knottingley 7

VICTORY at Ripon on Saturday would more or less secure Old Grovians' place in the ninth tier for a second successive season.

Buoyant from their success against Sheffield Medicals the previous week, the hosts were strengthened by the return of winger Dion Hendricks and gave a debut to new signing Bailey Worcester.

Despite the the ground improving to firm, due to the respite in the rain, it was the Grovians;' forwards who were instrumental in the win, and Knottingley were pinned in their half for the opening ten minutes.

The home side went through the phases and the breakthrough came from a well-executed line out and a pushover try for captain Christian Baines – the first of his four touchdowns.

Ben Brown converted well, and added a penalty two minutes later for 10-0, awarded for swearing.

Ten minutes later, the visitors were penalised for a high tackle on hooker Matthew Worrall, and a repeat line-out and drive brought another converted try for Baines.

In the 22nd minute, the backs got in on the act via some good handling and passing as centre Anthony Griffin took the feed from Jack Hartley, who cementing his position at No 12, and avoided three tackles to increase the lead, with Brown's conversion making it 24-0.

Baines completed his hat-trick just before the interval, with Brown again adding the extras to complete an excellent opening 40 minutes for Grovians.

However, as against Medicals, the balance of the match shifted in the second half, with Knottingley starting to string some passes together, which, combined with them gaining turnover ball and Grovians giving away unnecessary penalties, allowed the visitors to bag a converted try.

This setback woke up the home side, though, and their backs started to dominate, distributing the ball out wide to create opportunities in every attack.

James Frost dropped a Griffin pass to butcher one chance, while Grovians were foiled again when winger Dean Hogg made a great run down the touchline from halfway, only to put a foot in touch.

Griffin then looked like scoring, only to be put on his back three yards out after a defender grabbed his shirt collar, but Knottingley's clearance kicks didn't bring any relief either as full back Joe Harrison ran them back with interest.

The visitors were then lucky not to have their fly half red-carded for a punch, the punishment only being a sin-binning.

With a man advantage and Knottingley's discipline crumbling as they argued among themselves, Grovians ran in three tries in the last 15 minutes via that man Baines again and two for Hendricks, with Harrison converting the first.