AN in-form Leodiensians met their match against Yarnbury on Saturday, but the second in the league side prevailed 24-14 in an entertaining encounter at Crag Lane.

This was an eagerly awaited fixture against the old Yorkshire Two rivals, who were opened the synthetic grass pitch at Yarnbury in November and were well beaten by Yarnbury in a sparkling game.

Since that game Leos have risen to challenge for top spot, having 11 unbeaten wins whilst Yarnbury have struggled for stability and wins due to injuries and unavailability.

The Horsforth side began by defending their line against a strong wind and were well organised in defence as Leos had the territorial advantage in the first quarter.

Yarnbury responded with a good break from the back row, only for No 8 Tom Goldthorpe to be pulled up for a forward pass with the home line gaping.

The game opened up with two mistakes both from the away side gifting Leos a 14-point start. After a knock on, Leos charged down a clearance kick and ran in a try unopposed, converted by Farmer.

Leos then opened up on the right for their winger to break through and pass inside to score under the posts, again converted.

When a third converted try just before half-time was scored, the half had an unbalanced look in favour of the home side at 21-0, but the conditions were telling in their favour.

The second half gave Yarnbury the advantage of a falling breeze and immediately Leos were under pressure on their own line as the Yarnbury pack destroyed them in the set piece and battered the try line time and again in an attempt to cut the deficit.

Second row James Falgate was hard to stop, ably assisted by substitute Ian Maycock on at half-time for the hard-working Paul Kernick.

On at least two occasions, Yarnbury were over the home try line only to be held up and when a try looked forthcoming Falgate knocked on at the touch down.

It took a brilliant move to get Yarnbury on the scoresheet as some excellent passing down the middle set up full back Josh Bateson to thread through the home defence. Danny Pound converted.

When scrum half Les Crowther got over soon after in the corner and Pound converted the second try, Yarnbury were in total control and the game was there to be won with Leos looking vulnerable.

Unfortunately, they would not score again and Leos managed a breakaway and a winning penalty to secure the valuable win for their promotion push.

Yarnbury are at home to Barnsley this Saturday.