Yarnbury are potent in attack but need to sort out their defence

YARNBURY had taken 12 points 15 but were without the experienced Adam Batson (illness) and prop Richard Lister (fracture) against an experienced York side who had former Yarnbury player Toby Atkin at scrum half.

However, although the Horsforth side lost, props Dom Goldthorpe and Dave Penman stepped up from the Hornets to provide a big plus for the Brownberrie Lane men.

York have strengthened this season but started on the back foot, with a hand in the ruck giving Yarnbury a penalty.

Danny Pound kicked, Yarnbury employed a catch and drive from the line-out for seasoned second-rower Ian Maycock to crash over a try out wide.

In York's first attack, winger George Davies kicked a penalty, but the hosts increased their lead with a second try which brought the house down.

Attacking from halfway, the ball was fed to captain and centre Jason Avison, who skinned his opposite number Gareth Singleton and arched down the right touchline, beating the cover before slipping the ball inside for young full back Will Marshall to glide over for a slick try out wide.

Maybe Yarnbury would be York's bogey side again but the visitors hit back with a try, and they finished the half with another converted try and a penalty to lead 16-10.

However, the game changed drastically two minutes into the second half when Yarnbury conceded a penalty try under the posts and lost back-row forward Reece Leighton to the sin-bin for stopping a certain York try.

The visitors took advantage of the extra man to score four tries in the third quarter but Yarnbury, marshalled by Avison, showed spirit in adversity to score two more tries and earn a bonus point.

Firstly Maycock got over for his second try and, after a great effort by forwards and backs, Avison got the fourth.

With back-rowers such as Lewis Wray and Tom Holden making a nuisance in the close play, along with the rest of the forwards ensuring good line-out and scrum ball, Yarnbury will score tries.

The question is how to stop bulky opposition scoring against them.