OLD Grovians picked up two points in their 32-27 home defeat against Roundhegians in Yorkshire Division Two but the maximum five points went begging on an afternoon of 'if onlys'.

The home side could not have had a better start, Alex Masterson throwing several dummies on his way to the try line for Ben Brown to convert but the visitors soon scored two converted tries.

The first 'if only' moment came when Brown knocked on Danny Secker's pass with the line begging, and the second came when the referee failed to blow up after the ball bounced off his chest to a Roundhegians player, who scored their third converted try.

Trailing 21-7 at half-time, Old Grovians' centre Harry Garforth was perhaps unfairly penalised for a tackle that went over the horizontal, although he laid the player down safely, and the resulting penalty was kicked to extend Roundhegians' lead to 17 points.

The visitors made use of the extra man to get a fourth try but the Elm Tree Farm hosts hit back with a try by Harry Hardy after a driven line-out collapsed and the ball was recycled.

Roundhegians completed their scoring with another penalty but the last 15 minutes all belonged to Old Grovians, who felt that they would have won if the match had lasted another for another five minutes.

Excellent carries by the home pack gave Masterson and Secker the chance to make good ground before Anthony Griffin scored, Brown converting, and Joe Sowden got their fourth try as the visitors tired.

Brown's late penalty securing another bonus point but the final whistle nipped their victory attempt in the bud.

Old Grovians, who are at Pontefract on Saturday, are struggling for numbers and may have to again call on the old guard.

Baildon, buoyed by the return of Matt Withers, held visitors Old Otliensians for an hour in their Yorkshire Division Three derby at Jenny Lane, but then succumbed to the visitors' skilful backs in a 34-5 defeat.

"We matched them in the forwards but we were too inexperienced overall," said coach Andy Pollard of Baildon, who host Wensleydale on Saturday.

Cleckheaton, who could not capitalise on an excellent opening 20 minutes at Billingham, after which they led 12-0 on the way to a 30-12 defeat, continue their fight against relegation at Hull in National League Three North.