Yorkshire Division Two: Old Grovians 20 Leodiensian 15

AFTER their eighth win of the season, Old Grovians only need one point from their last two matches to be assured of staying up.

However, on Saturday they are at Knottingley, who are 15 points behind them with an inferior points difference of 101 but have three matches left.

The visitors, who welcomed back prop Sam Pickering and the versatile Jack Hartley, started at pace, Danny Secker, Hartley and Dean Hogg combining in a charge upfield that won them a penalty after 90 seconds, which Ben Brown kicked.

Leos then scored a try from a long kick and chase, catching out Dion Hendricks, but the winger soon had a positive impact, taking Hogg's pass to set up a maul from which scrum half Tom Gough went over under the posts from 15 yards out, Brown converting for 10-5.

The Leeds-based visitors reduced the deficit with a penalty, and were given further hope when Secker was yellow carded just before half-time for holding.

However, the home side began the second half strongly, with Christian Baines being driven over, but, just before Secker returned, Hendricks was sin-binned for the same offence.

Within seconds, however, a Leos player was yellow carded, but things swiftly became worse for the visitors as two more yellow cards were quickly shown, and then a red. 

Old Grovians then capitalised on the opponents having 12 men, Baines again being driven over from a line-out.

However, Leos then played with more consistency and purpose and, despite being held up over the line, Leos bagged a converted try to secure a losing bonus point.