OLD Grovians failed to capitalise on an utterly dominant first 38 minutes, as they threw away a 15-point lead to lose 24-23 at Wheatley Hills in Yorkshire Two.

Grovians had virtually all of the possession and territory in the first half but conceded on the whistle, and only led 20-12 at the break.

Hills kept up that momentum, finding a way back into the game before snatching victory with a late try.

Ben Brown kicked Grovians ahead after just two minutes through a penalty for offside. There followed twenty minutes of visiting pressure, which eventually resulted in Alex Masterson crossing for a try that Brown converted.

Following a missed tackle, Hills’ prop was able to run fifty metres and set up a try in the left hand corner totally against the run of play.

Grovians prop Adam Crooks then scored after a good offload by Liam Harrison. Brown converted, before adding another penalty to give his side a 20-5 lead.

Hills had the last call of the half. A penalty was kicked to the corner and from the lineout, they were adjudged to have crossed the line. Many thought the referee had given a penalty to Grovians but a try had been awarded, and that was subsequently converted.

The second half was a different matter, with Hills playing down their slight slope.

Brown had increased Grovians' lead to 23-12 with a penalty for a high tackle but on the hour, the hosts scored through their winger before collecting a wild Grovians pass and driving downfield.

From a penalty, they kicked to the corner and scored from the lineout. The conversion put them 24-23 ahead.

With 10 minutes left, Brown had a chance to regain the lead but his penalty from out wide drifted past the posts.

Then, with one final chance, Grovians’ Matt Worrall was taken into touch when 10 metres short of the line.

Coach Andy Hinchliffe said: “An extremely frustrating afternoon and a game we let slip away.

“After a dominant first 30 minutes, unnecessary errors and lapses in concentration gifted Wheatley hope at half-time in a game that should have been beyond them.

“With the momentum shifted, Hills piled on the pressure and credit must go to the Wheatley players and coaches for the turnaround and playing to their strengths.

“Next week at home to Northallerton can’t come quickly enough.”