Yorkshire Division Two: Old Grovians 24 Barnsley 6

SUPERB defence laid the platform for this vital Old Grovians victory which kept distance between themselves and the second relegation berth.

The hosts made a great start, with a Jonathan Gilbert try in the first minute, which Dom Copsey converted, the visitors replying with two penalties as the home side had a narrow interval lead.

Grovians took charge in the second half, however, with an early penalty and conversion of Christian Baines' try.

The home side clinched their win with a penalty try in the 66th minute, given for playing a man off the ball as he chased a kick to the corner, Copsey adding the conversion.

Grovians' head coach Dave Lister said: "We played with a relentless amount of work with the ball, building lots of phases, being hungry to protect our ball and superb tactical kicking to relieve and force pressure.

"The defence was awesome from start to finish – full of big hits, discipline with line speed and feet, forcing them into errors."

Assistant coach Dan Nulty added: "It was a massive win that lads in the context of the season and the other results, and thanks to the lads who came in and did so well."

Best for Grovians were Tom Gough, Martyn Mitchell, James Frost and Eric Roberts, with Jamie Benashour and Copsey making a difference after being drafted in.