Season 2003/4

Wheatley Hills 28 – Yarnbury 21

Yarnbury are back in the relegation dogfight after a poor showing and disappointing defeat to relegation rivals Wheatley Hills.

            After good wins against Old Brodlenians and Selby, and an excellent performance against top of the table Malton, Yarnbury went into the contest in confident mood. Ian Moule returned to replace the injured Max Milswa, John Bramhan also came back into the starting line up for the unavailable Andy Marshall and Steve Miller made his first start of the season for the crocked Martin Coates.

            It was Yarnbury’s appalling start that eventually cost them this match. Wheatley Hills dominated the opening 30 minutes, Yarnbury’s ball retention was poor and their defence had too many holes in it.

            The hosts’ forwards did the damage, continually smashing through Yarnbury’s normally strong defence. Wheatley scored two tries from unstoppable rolling mauls and a third after strong pick and drive tactics.

            The Wheatley fly half struck one conversion and two penalties to give his side a 23 – 0 lead. To add to Yarnbury’s trouble, influential scrum half Andy Cowley broke his right ankle making a tackle. Flanker Martin Rivett stood in, and Wayne Butterfield came on to add some much need steal to Yarnbury’s scrum.

            Yarnbury started to rally and finally take the game to their hosts. John Bramham ran in from 20 metres to give Yarnbury their first try, after good work from the forwards. Steve Galbraith then struck a penalty, but Yarnbury were still 15 points adrift at the break, and seemed down and out.

            To have any chance of victory Yarnbury needed an explosive start to the second period. That’s exactly what they got, pinning Wheatley Hills onto their own line, with relentless running rugby.

            Making his 15 appearance, and thus winning his first team tie, lock Simon Ellis was again in inspired form, making the hard yards and securing possession. Ben Horner and Ian Moule were also making huge inroads into the tiring Wheatley defence. In the end the hosts’ only answer was to concede penalties.

            Galbraith gleefully converted three out of four penalty attempts and Yarnbury were slowly clawing their way back into the match.

 Yarnbury’s pressure started to become relentless, as they hammered away at the Wheatley try line. Eventually the visitors had an overlap and Horner superbly drew two tacklers before releasing Bramham for his second try.  Galbraith converted and Yarnbury were just 2 points behind.

Unfortunately the Brownberrie Lane side took their foot off the gas, while Wheatley Hills picked up their act. The hosts maintained possession well, and slowly started to once again dictate the pace of the game.

Yarnbury were pushed deep into their own half and from a lineout, Wheatley scored their third rolling maul try of the day. The conversion was missed, but Yarnbury could not produce another comeback to suffer a hugely unsatisfactory loss.

Yarnbury 16 – Scarborough 6

Its now four wins on the bounce for Yarnbury after a dogged performance saw off bottom of the table Scarborough 16 – 6.

            Yarnbury were again forced to make changes to a winning line-up. Kris Lilley replaced Steve Mather at full back, Andy Butterfield stepped in at prop for Jonny Stephenson and Chris Wray and Simon Ellis returned to the second row.

            With a quarter of the season already completed and Scarborough still pointless, Yarnbury were keen to score early to crush the lagging confidence of the visitors.

            That early score came just four minutes into the contest. Scarborough failed to find their jumper in the line out and Yarnbury stole possession. Martin Rivet drove the ball up field and, as the forwards recycled, scrum half Jimmy Lee spotted a gap behind the defence. The youngster wonderfully chipped over a flat-footed rearguard and winger John Bramham raced after it. He beat the full back to the bobbling ball and kicked on to triumphantly fall on the ball for the opening try.

            Galbraith converted and Yarnbury were flying. Many in the crowd may have been expecting a Scarborough collapse. That was not to be the case as the sea-siders responded immediately with a penalty from fly half Richard Ras.

            Scarborough’s mammoth forwards were dominating proceedings and winning plenty of ball. However, Yarnbury’s defence was solid and never allowed Scarborough’s back division space to work in.

            Yarnbury were under pressure and their cause was hampered by the sin binning of stand in centre Joe Bennett for a silly late tackle. Flanker Gareth Jones moved into the centre and Yarnbury’s already struggling forwards were critically a man down.

            The host’s situation was soon to deteriorate when influential number eight Ian Moule went off with damaged ribs. Scarborough took advantage of Yarnbury’s plight and pulled a point behind with Ras’ second penalty kick.

            Once back up to 15 men Yarnbury started to get a grip of the game and their pressure forced a weak Scarborough defence to concede penalty after penalty. The ill discipline allowed Galbraith to add a further two efforts before the interval.

The wet conditions had resulted in a mistake-ridden match and Yarnbury were not playing well. Crucially however the Brownberrie Lane side were leading and they appeared determined not to relinquish their advantage in the second period.

Scarborough fought desperately for a way back in to the contest but inspired by Andy Marshall’s tackling Yarnbury were unforgiving in defence. Scarborough’s most dangerous stage of possession saw a combination of Yarnbury bodies somehow hold up a rolling maul over the line. The threat was yet to be relieved as the visitors had a 5 metre scrum.  

Without Moule, Yarnbury’s scrum had been having huge problems all afternoon, continually being pushed backwards, which was forcing vital turnovers. The odds were clearly on a Scarborough score.

Yarnbury dug deep, and led by the outstanding prop Ian Shannon, the forwards showed tremendous grit, focus and strength to hold stoutly and not allow the attempted push over try.

With the scrum going nowhere Scarborough’s number eight Neil Else was forced to pick up and go for the line himself. Moule’s injury had seen second row Ellis move to flanker. The towering lock looked natural on the back row as his earth shattering tackle on the storming Else forced a knock on and Yarnbury had averted the try.

Scarborough’s big chance had gone and Yarnbury were not to let their guests get that close to their line again. Galbraith added his third penalty of the day with 10 minutes remaining to give his side a 10 point winning margin and Yarnbury were up to the heady heights of fifth in the league.   

Selby 12 – Yarnbury 20

Shear determination, immense spirit and excellent defence were the key factors for Yarnbury’s second consecutive victory, this time 12 – 20 over Selby.

            Yarnbury were again forced to juggle their line up, with flanker Joe Bennet moving into the centre, and Andy Mayers coming into the back row for his first team debut.

            After a slow start Yarnbury started to move through the gears, the result saw the visitors camped inside their opponent’s half for 20 minutes. A combination of darting runs from the backs and crash balls from the forwards ripped holes in the Selby defence. The host’s only answer to Yarnbury’s dominance was to infringe. The referee did his best to play advantage, but after Chris Wray was held up over the line, he pulled play back and Steve Galbraith converted an easy penalty.

            Selby almost immediately replied, but a try saving tackle from Simon ‘we are a team’ Threfall, kept Yarnbury in the lead. An end-to-end first half ended with another searing Yarnbury break. This time it was an Andy Mayers run, once stopped Jimmy Lee darted down the blind side towards the line.

Yarnbury once more were frustrated by their host’s ill discipline, and the move was halted. Selby were not to go unpunished as Galbraith added his second penalty right on the half time whistle.  

Selby came out for the second period more organised and aggressive. They pushed Yarnbury back deep into their own half, were they stayed for most of the 40 minutes.

Yarnbury’s defence has been questioned of late, but it was back to its superb best in this contest. They continued to hold out thanks to an excellent display of tackling. The visitors looked to have escaped unscaved from this period without conceding after stealing possession. Unfortunately, a poor pass from Mayers forced Bennet to concede a 5 metre scrum. From the resulting set play Selby sent down the blind side and the Selby number 11 crashed over in the corner.  

The conversion was missed, Yarnbury still lead but Selby were straight back looking for another score. Led superbly by captain Phil Wray and inspired by excellent performances from Ian Shannon and Chris Wray, Yarnbury’s defence was again strong. This allowed Gareth Jones to turn over Selby possession. Galbraith launched a huge clearing kick up field and like a shot full back Steve Mather chased after it.

A tremendous Mather tackle forced a knock on and centre Andy Marshall kicked ahead. The covering Selby scrum half collected the loose ball on his own line, but another huge hit from Mather resulted in the ball being split and winger John Bramham flopped on the ball to score an opportunist try.

Galbraith converted and Yarnbury were back in command. The rain started to come down and Selby fought back once more. Their devastating rolling mauls were their best weapon and Yarnbury could not cope with it at times. From a line out Selby drove in field and over the line, Yarnbury seemed to have held the ball up, but the referee awarded the try. The Brownberrie Lane side were incensed. Chris Wray protested too much and was sin binned as a result.

Yarnbury led by a point, and despite being a man down fought on bravely. Selby threw the ball wide and dashed down the wing. A combination of Lee and Jones made the covering tackle and stole possession. Galbraith spotted space and kicked into it. Marshall again kicked the ball on cleverly and John Bramham raced on to it to score his second try of the match.  

Galbraith converted and Selby were 8 points adrift. There was time left for a potential come back but Yarnbury remained solid. Sub Jonny Stephenson stiffened up Yarnbury’s scrum and the return of Wray insured Selby had no platform to attack from. After 51 minutes the final whistle went and Yarnbury had a vital victory thanks to a wonderful team performance.      

Yarnbury 16 – Old Crossleyans 0

Yarnbury’s wavering regulation fight has been given a massive shot to the arm with an excellent victory over mid table Old Crossleyans in arctic like conditions.

            Despite snowing for the previous two days, the game went ahead thanks to the tremendous effort of grounds man Kevin Wray.

After a disappointing loss to Wheatley Hills, Yarnbury had to win this match to give themselves any chance of survival. The hosts welcomed back skipper Phil Wray, centre Andy Marshall and, due to the broken ankle of Andy Cowley and back injury of young Jimmy Lee, ex first team captain Steve Lee made his first appearance of the season at scrum half.

            After resisting any early surge by Crossleyans, Yarnbury quickly gained the ascendancy. Yarnbury’s main weapon was the rolling maul, a tactic that Crossleyans failed to halt all afternoon.

            In a cold, icy environment, it was a forward dominated game, with Yarnbury’s front five moving the hosts up field and into scoring territory.

            Yarnbury could not cross the try line, not for the want of trying, but gained a strong lead. Fly half Steve Galbraith was in good goal kicking form, slotting three out of four first half penalty attempts, to give Yarnbury a 9 – 0 advantage at the break.

            Mistakes were plentiful in the second half, due to the freezing wind, and muddy pitch. Yarnbury remind dominate, the superb Ben Horner continued his rich vein of form, smashing the opposition back in defence, and making the hard yards in attack. 

            Crossleyans had their moments, missing two kickable penalty attempts. Yarnbury heeded the warning and looked to put the result beyond doubt.

            With just 6 minutes to go a catch and drive from Steve Miller moved Yarnbury in to the Crossleyans 22. Crashing runs from Chris Wray and Wayne Butterfield sucked in the tackles and made good ground.

Galbraith shot through a yawning gap in the visitors’ defence and was stopped metres short of the line. Prop Andy Butterfield battled his way to the line and Steve Lee was driven over by his forwards to score the match-sealing try.

Galbraith converted and Yarnbury saw out the final minutes comfortably to claim a massively important victory. The fight for Yorkshire One survival remains on.

Huddersfield YMCA 48 – Yarnbury 26

Yarnbury succumbed to a fiercely determined Huddersfield YMCA side 48 – 26 after being outperformed and outfought in the second half.

            Yet again, Yarnbury made changes to their starting line up. Simon Threllfal moved from wing to full back, with Steve Fletcher beginning on the wing for the first time this season. Ben Horner made a return to inside centre, with Max Milswa finally moving back to his traditional role on the back row.

            In freezing conditions, Huddersfield exploded out of the blocks and battered the Yarnbury line for the opening 10 minutes. Yarnbury’s defence was unusually slow and Huddersfield were continually finding holes in their visitors’ defence.

            Yarnbury were stretched and Huddersfield found a huge over lap out wide and their left winger crashed over in the corner for this first of three tries. The conversion was made, quickly followed by a penalty and Yarnbury looked down and out with just a quarter of the half gone.

            The Brownberrie Lane side did start to gain possession and it was Huddersfield’s semi-professionals’ turn to be pushed backwards. Ben Horner smashed through two tackles and released the supporting Andy Cowley.

Yarnbury went wide and with a huge over lap, and the try line begging, Threllfal’s pass to John Bramham went astray - the golden chance had gone. Instead, Yarnbury had to rely on the left boot of Steve Galbraith. The fly half hit an excellent penalty to put Yarnbury on the scoreboard.    

            The hosts hit back, and used their big men to make inroads into the Yarnbury half. A rolling maul has halted on the Yarnbury line, but with defenders sucked in, Huddersfield went down the blind side to score their second try.

            Yet again, Yarnbury fought back. The impressive Andy Marshall charged down an attempted clearance kick and knocked the ball towards the try line. Marshall was in a footrace with his opposite man and as the Yarnbury man started to get ahead he was pulled back and the referee awarded a penalty try.

            Galbraith easily converted and used the remained of the half to show off his kicking skills. In difficult conditions, the ginger fly half added 3 more penalties to give Yarnbury a 15 – 19 lead at the interval.

            The opening exchanges of the second half would be a crucial influence in the winning of this match. While Huddersfield looked focused and determined, Yarnbury just never seemed to come out for the second half. They spent the majority of the second period encamped in their own 22.

            In previous matches this may not have worried the travelling Yarnbury fans. However, the visitors’ defence remained strangely poor and Huddersfield’s left wing soon ran in his second try of the afternoon.

            Huddersfield were not to release the lead again. They incessantly pinned Yarnbury back and were relentless with their rolling mauls. Yarnbury were again caught short out wide, and the hosts had another simple score.

            Huddersfield were not finished there, they smelt blood and went for another score. They quickly got it – as their tricky fly half cleverly dummied and went through the midfield to score under the posts.  

            Yarnbury attempted to remain positive and for brief moments looked to be back in the contest. Yarnbury’s forwards won good ball and the visitors went wide. John Bramham was shown the outside line by his opposite winger.

The whippet winger gleefully took it and superbly shot down the touch line, beating four men before passing back inside to Andy Marshall, who had the legs to get over the line to score the try of the match.

            Galbraith converted and Yarnbury were just 10 points adrift with five minutes remaining.  

            Hopes of a comeback were rapidly evaporated, when Galbraith’s grubber kick was blocked. Huddersfield’s centre kicked ahead, but Martin Rivett beat him to the loose ball over the try line. The referee awarded a Huddersfield scrum rather than a Yarnbury drop out, believing Rivett had taken the ball over the line.

            Yarnbury held up the resulting scrum, but Huddersfield again went blind, and their winger claimed his hat trick. Down hearted Yarnbury cruelly conceded a final try with the last play of the match. Poor tackling in midfield allowed Huddersfield’s sub flanker to score under the posts.

            The score line may have been flattering for Huddersfield, but that was little consolation to a dejected Yarnbury outfit.           

Keighley 7 – Yarnbury 3

Match Abandoned – No Result

A bizarre refereeing incident resulted in Yarnbury’s league fixture against Keighley being abandoned after 59 minutes.

            Ref Phil Stokes from Liverpool damaged knee ligaments after being caught between two tacklers, and could not go on, but that was just half of the story.

7 – 3 down, Yarnbury won a lineout on their host’s 22 line. The Brownberrie Lane side got into motion a rolling maul going and pushed towards the try line. As the maul went forward, Yarnbury prop Ian Shannon was driven backwards by rival prop Phil Sinfield, the two players collapsed on top of the official.

            After receiving length treatment Stokes could not go on and, with no replacement, the game was abandoned. League rules state that if a game is stopped after 60 minutes the result stands. Checking his watch the referee believed 63 minutes had elapsed and awarded the win to Keighley.

            Yarnbury were incensed, believing less than 60 minutes had past. The next 15 minutes saw a bizarre series of events. As the referee was carried from the pitch, being followed by protesters, he realised his stopwatch counted down rather than up and thus only 59 minutes had been played. Now no result stood and it was Keighley’s turn to complain.

With the third team match finishing at the same time, their referee was roped into cover the sidelined Stokes, despite never refereeing such a high standard of game. However, by this time, the players were stone cold due to the winter conditions and with the light fading rapidly the two captains decided on a rematch. 

            Before this strange chain of events, Yarnbury had been chasing their hosts for the majority of the match.

            After a strong start Yarnbury lead through a well-struck Galbraith penalty. Yarnbury looked unforgiving in defence, but a poor Galbraith clearance kick allowed the Keighley Winger Watts an excellent attacking opportunity. Watts rounded Simon Threllfall and chipped ahead. The covering Max Milswa was forced to put the loose ball into touch on his own line.

            Keighley won their lineout ball and drove for the line. Yarnbury held strong, but were caught short down the blind side and number eight Schofield ran in for the try. The conversion was made and Yarnbury were down by 4 points.

            The reminder of the match was mainly played in the middle of the park. After the jubilation of England’s World Cup success, and the early start required to witness it, neither side seemed 100 percent up for the contest. With the cold coming in and conditions wet, handling errors and turnovers were commonplace, resulting in a scrappy affair.

            Neither team truly threatened to score more tries and the referee’s injury and the scenes after it provided some entertainment to a poor afternoon of rugby.             

Yarnbury 15 – Keighley 17

A spirited performance and the sparkling left boot of Steve Galbraith were not enough, as Yarnbury managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

            Yarnbury welcomed back captain Phil Wray and veteran centre Andy Marshall from injury and Ian Coates returned to the second row to install some desperately needed steal in the scrum.        

After suffering a dramatic loss to the same opponents last week, Yarnbury seemed more focused than in previous weeks and, for once, made a positive start to the match.

The hosts dominated the entire first half, they were solid in the scrum, all conquering in the lineout and kicking more intelligently than Keighley. With Marshall showing what Yarnbury were missing last week with silkily footwork and Andy Butterfield ramping runs making huge bents, Yarnbury were encamped in the Keighley 22.

The pressure started to tell as the visitors penalty count rose incredibly. This set the stage for Steve Galbraith. The fly half enjoys nothing more than slotting over kicks, and he hit 4 penalties without reply to give his side a 12 – 0 lead.

Keighley were shell shocked, and only rallied briefly in the final moments of the half. Winning a lineout deep in Yarnbury’s 22, Keighley’s rolling maul was superbly held up over the line. What resulted were three Keighley scrums right on the try line.

Yarnbury were continually pushed backwards last week in this department, but this Saturday they held strong and kept their local rivals out until the half time whistle.

Yarnbury wanted the early score in the second half, and they got it after 10 minutes thanks to another Galbraith penalty.

Keighley looked down and out, but were awarded a penalty straight from the restart, which was eagerly converted.

Finally on the scoreboard, Keighley fought for a way back into the contest. Yarnbury started to appear more apprehensive, their kicking from hand was ill directed, allowing Keighley excellent attacking opportunities, and the hosts’ tackling started to lose its normally solidarity.

One such poor kick resulted in Keighley breaking down the left hand side. Taking advantage of a two on one with full back Kris Lilley, the Keighley winger looked to be cruising in under post. However, a stunning tackle from Yarnbury’s normally tackle shy fly half Galbraith adverted the score.

The consequence was a Yarnbury scrum on their own line. The Brownberrie Lane forwards held strong to give scrum half Jimmy Lee a platform for the clearance. Unfortunately the young gun’s kick was charged down by the openside flanker and with the ball bouncing loose over the try line Keighley’s scrum half was first to react to score the opening try of the match.

  The conversion was made and Yarnbury were starting to falter. Galbraith missed a tough shot a goal and Keighley were sensing a come back.

Captain Wray was forced off the field, as the visitors pushed for the winning try. In injury time, Yarnbury’s replace hooker Matt Booth was harshly penalised and Keighley quickly ran the ball.

Yarnbury were caught napping, and Keighley soon had a 4 on 2 advantage, the fly half cleverly dummied a desperate defender and scored under the posts. The conversion was made and Yarnbury were two points down.

With time up Yarnbury stole a Keighley lineout ball, the forwards drove up field and powerful centre Ben Horner made inroads. The stage was set for Galbraith – just 14 metres into Keighley’s half, the impressive fly half hit a huge drop goal. With the wind against him, the ball dropped agonisingly under the post and the match was over. 

Yarnbury will be hoping for better luck in the new year.   

Keighley 25 – Yarnbury 20

Yarnbury suffered their third defeat on the bounce after narrowly losing out away at mid table Keighley.

            As has become a tradition this season, yet again Yarnbury changed their starting line up just hours before the 2:15 kick off. Captain Phil Wray failed a late fitness test and was forced out. Dave Mason moved up from the second team to take his place at hooker, and Gareth Jones was granted the captain’s armband.

            If Yarnbury’s day had not began badly enough, it soon got worse. Flanker Max Milswa failed to arrive in time for kick off, due to work commitments, and Yarnbury took the risky decision of starting with 14 men.

            Yarnbury played the first 10 minutes without the powerful flanker, and looked lightweight in the scrum due to a numerical disadvantage. Milswa finally arrived, but Yarnbury were only back up to 15 men for 30 seconds. Second row Wayne Butterfield was sin binned for stamping at a ruck.

            Keighley took the game to their visitors and made their extra man count. The forwards pushed Yarnbury back, and their influential Australian centre smashed through a weak defence to score under the posts. The conversion was made, and a penalty was added before Butterfield made his return to the action.

            Yarnbury were dominating the lineout, but failing to maintain possession, resulting in a lack of scoring chances.

            30 minutes into the contest and finally Yarnbury had their attacking opportunity. The move started with Steve Galbraith coolly switching with Ben Horner. The impressive centre crashed past three would-be tacklers and went for the line. With the two wingers and full back closing in, Horner found the supporting Jones, and the captain dashed in under the sticks for an excellent team try.

            Galbraith converted and just 3 points were in it. However, Yarnbury could not hold out until half time. Yarnbury were pinned back into their 22 once more and they failed to halt a rolling maul to concede their second try of the afternoon.

            Yarnbury were again slow to come out for the second half, as Keighley scored almost straight from kick off. Again, the Brownberrie Lane’s defence was not its normal biting best. Four defenders could not put down the Aussie centre and he claimed his second try.

            Yarnbury looked in danger of allowing Keighley to run away with the contest as the hosts continued their onslaught.

            As the rain came down, the visitors held strong and their defence started to become more ruthless. Yarnbury started to gain valuable possession, with Dave Mason putting in a first-rate performance, showing Yarnbury’s strength in depth at hooker. Debutant centre Graham Maycock was also catching the eye, and will be a valuable player in Yarnbury’s future. However, they failed to get through a tough Keighley defence.

            Keighley attempted to pin Yarnbury back with deep kicks - one such kick was collected superbly by full back Kris Liley. Yarnbury recycled the ball deep in their own half and went down the blind side. The ball came to Steve Fletcher and the left wing beat his opposite number to set off on an unbelievable run. Balancing along the touchline, Fletcher raced past six Keighley tacklers - his pace making them look like statues - to score a wonderful individual try in the corner.

            Galbraith excellently converted from the touchline and quickly added his first penalty of the match. Yarnbury were now just 5 points behind their hosts.

            Keighley did enough to keep Yarnbury just out of scoring territory, and when the visitors did make inroads, they failed to take their chances.

            With three minutes remaining Yarnbury were awarded a penalty. Jones opted to go for goal rather than touch and Galbraith slotted the 3 points, to put Yarnbury just one penalty away from the win.

            As time ticked away, Yarnbury needed possession and territory. They got it and pushed up to halfway. Unfortunately, the Brownberrie Lane outfit lost the ball in the tackle and Keighley broke down field.

            Yarnbury knew their opportunity had gone and were caught offside, allowing the Keighley fly half to add a simple penalty with the last action of the contest.

            These two sides clash again next weekend in the last game of 2003 – Yarnbury need a victory or 2004 will be a difficult year.          

Yarnbury 6 – Malton and Norton 16

Yarnbury came within just 5 minutes of pulling off the shock of the season after eventually losing out to league leaders Malton and Norton in a fantastic match.

            Deep in the Malton 22 Yarnbury’s powerful forwards drove towards to line. The rolling maul seemed to be stopped illegally, but play continued and Yarnbury lost possession. Malton picked up the loose ball and quick hands allowed their prop to score out wide in the last minute to take the game away from the brave hosts.

            Despite Yarnbury winning their last two matches they went into the game overwhelming underdogs. Malton, having lost just two games all season and running away with the title, smelt an easy victory.

            Yarnbury’s cause was not helped by four absences. John Bramham, Ian Moule, Martin Booth and captain Phil Wray were all missing, while centre Ben Horner and back row Max Milswa played carrying injuries.

            Malton started brightly, looking for an early score to dent the confidence of the hosts.  However Yarnbury’s defence was nothing short of magnificent, a trend throughout the game, and Malton had just a penalty kick to show for their efforts.

            Yarnbury took the game to the visitors, dominate in the scrum and dangerous out wide, the Brownberrie Lane side were sending shock waves through the champions elect. Scrum half Andy Cowley and full back Kris Lilley both almost scored after excellent breaks, but desperate Malton defending did enough to stop the threat. 

Instead, Steve Galbraith hit a penalty with his second attempt to but the match level at the break.

Attacking the clubhouse end in the second half Yarnbury shot out of the blocks, taking the match by the scuff of the neck. The forwards continually made ground though the likes of Simon Ellis, Martin Coates and Milswa, while wingers Simon Threllfall and Graham Maycock were a constant threat in attack. 

Galbraith added another penalty to put Yarnbury ahead, before the turning point of the contest.

Yarnbury won good line out ball, thanks to the excellent throwing of Dave Mason, and the forwards drove on. The ball went wide and Billy Thompson, who had replaced the injured, battered Horner, found Lilley. The full back burst though and chipped the ball ahead before being tackled.

Threllfall out paced two men and appeared to beat the covering full back to ground the ball over the line first for a great try. The referee overruled to lineman’s decision of a try, to award a 5 metre scrum instead.  Malton resisted the Yarnbury pressure and soon cleared their line. Malton had heeded the warning, while Yarnbury were beginning to wonder if it was to be their day.    

Malton started to show why they sit at the league summit, they kept possession well and were aggressive in open play. Yarnbury remained resolute in defence, but as Malton started to dominate, their fly half stuck two more penalties to take a 3 point lead.

Some inconsistent officiating constantly halted Yarnbury’s attacks, to the annoyance of the home fans, and Malton’s last minute counterattack try secured the points somewhat fortunately.

Yarnbury can take great pride in this performance, but know they must win away at Wheatley Hills next weekend to secure Yorkshire One safety. Another show like this will see that aim is met.

Yarnbury 14 – Selby 10

Yarnbury moved out of the bottom three as sheer guts, determination and spirit saw them through in this must win basement battle.

            Seeking to remedy the flat performance against Dinnington two weeks ago, Yarnbury appeared fired up of this clash of second and third bottom. That focus and commitment was evident in the first minute. As Selby attempted to run the ball from their own 22, inside centre Ben Horner smashed his opposite number with a gigantic tackle and drove the player back 5 metre, forcing Selby to field a panicked and poor clearance kick.

            That gave the hosts massive confidence and Yarnbury quickly gained the early ascendancy. Selby’s strong scrum had caused Yarnbury problems in the reverse fixture. However, the superb front row of Andy Butterfield, captain Phil Wray and Ian Shannon held their own, and Yarnbury won the majority of their scrums, providing excellent attacking platforms.

            One such platform allowed winger Simon Threllfall to make inroads deep into Selby territory. Lock Simon Ellis drove the ball forward and Yarnbury quickly got possession to the backs. Kris Lilley released a miss pass that found Horner and created the overlap. Horner drew his man and found John Bramham. The winger sped around this opponent, beat the covering full back to dive in over in the corner for an tremendous try.

            In a swirling wind Steve Galbraith missed the difficult touchline conversion. Wet conditions and the enormity if the occasion was clearly showing. The pressure seemed to be getting to players, which resulted in a tight affair. Both sides had chances, and it was Selby who took theirs with five minutes of the first half remaining.

            Yarnbury lost possession on half way and were caught by surprise down the left side. Selby’s dangerous 13 ignored the overlap, burst through two tackles and showed a superb turn of pace to beat the chasing defenders to score a great solo try in the corner.

            The conversion was missed, Yarnbury held out some strong Selby play in the final minute and the scores were level at five apiece at the break.

            Yarnbury were the stronger team in the second half. Their desire to win this match was apparent and their want was clearly more than their visitors. The Brownberrie Lane side’s pressure started to tell as they wore Selby down. Judging the wind splendidly, Galbraith slotted two excellent penalties to provide Yarnbury with a 6 point lead.

            With just five minutes to go Selby got themselves dramatically back into the contest. Yarnbury lost their own scrum ball and the Selby number eight crashed through the flat-footed defence.

 Once stopped Selby went down the blind side and their winger was driven over the line for the score. The Selby conversion was crucial, but luckily for Yarnbury it was missed. Yarnbury had a slender point advantage, they needed to keep the ball in the Selby half.

Galbraith put his restart long and under pressure from Yarnbury’s Ian Moule, Selby’s fly half knocked the ball on. Yarnbury had a scrum just eight metres out from the Selby line.

Yarnbury’s scrum held firm and the wonderful Moule took the ball up field. Yarnbury recycled and Horner crashed through and was driven to the line. Selby’s only answer was to halt the maul illegally and Yarnbury were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts.

Galbraith converted gleeful, Yarnbury had a four point advantage, and Selby needed a try with just 3 minutes to go. The visitors won a scrum with the last play of the game. The stage was set for a spectacular finale.

Selby won the ball but, under pressure from the consistently exceptional Andy Cowley, the Selby scrum half knocked on and the match was over. The relief could be seen throughout the whole of Yarnbury as the players trooped off carrying their war wounds and a valuable two points.    

Old Brodleians 15 – Yarnbury 16

Yarnbury claimed their second win on the trot, and finally got some deserved luck, after Old Brodleians missed a simple injury time conversion.

            Leading 10 – 16, Yarnbury conceded a controversial try with the last move of the match. The try put Brod’s just a point behind and the straightforward conversion looked to have condemned Yarnbury to another injury time defeat. However, under pressure from the charging Simon Threfall, The fly half’s kick hit the upright and the ball bounced dramatically away from the posts. 

            Before this last second drama, Yarnbury had put in a professional, determined performance. Playing uphill on a pitch famed for being more vertical than horizontal, Yarnbury were under pressure early on. Yarnbury’s own mistakes were allowing Brods territorial advantage. A pick and drive tactic moved the hosts towards the line and when the ball went to the backs the Brods’ wing stepped inside three defenders to score the opening try.

            Yarnbury responded immediately, winning a penalty straight from kick off. Steve Galbraith took a quick tap and the awesome Max Milswa crashed through the defence.

            Yarnbury had the bit between their teeth and their forwards drove deep into the Brod’s 22. The ball went wide and an intelligent dummy pass and side step from Andy Marshall created the space for the centre to burst through. Marshall found the supporting John Bramham, and the winger sped in from 20 metres for an excellent team try.

            With the conversion missed, Old Brodleians extended their lead to 5 points with a penalty. That was to be the hosts last meaningful scoring chance, as Yarnbury started to dominate.

            Kris Liley was having an inspired game at full back, fielding kicks well, and attacking superbly from deep. Liley’s performance and Yarnbury’s tough tackling, inspired by the likes of Simon Ellis and Martin Booth, gave Brods no territory to build on.

The enormity of this must win match was starting to boil over and both sides were reduced to 14 men when Yarnbury’s Andy Butterfield and the Brod’s scrum half were sin binned for fighting.

            Galbraith hit his first kick of the day with an easy penalty and Yarnbury were just 10 – 8 down at the turn around.

            With the advantage of a gale force wind and the slope Yarnbury took the contest by the scruff of the neck. Centre Ben Horner was a consistent thorn in the Brods’ side, smashing through the defence on a number of occasions. Galbraith stuck an outstanding penalty from 45 metres out to give his side the lead for the first time.

            Yarnbury pressure was telling and the visitors forced a scrum just 5 metres from the Brod’s try line. Yarnbury’s pack dominated all afternoon and forced Brod’s to concede two penalties when going for the push over try. On the third attempt, Ian Moule picked up from the back of the scrum and went down the blind side. The ball shot through the hands of the impressive Andy Cowley and Liley to release Bramham. The wingers’ deadly eye for the try aided him as he squeezed over in the corner.

            Galbraith missed the conversion from the touchline and Yarnbury lead by just 6 points. The visitors continued to be the better side, put could not get the vital extra points to put the match beyond doubt.

            Lock Ellis was sin binned for tackling when not ten metres away from the penalty leaving Yarnbury to see out the final minutes one short.

            With the hail coming down, Brods moved up field quickly as the official continually penalised Yarnbury harshly at the ruck. The hosts got to the Yarnbury try line, and eventually drove over. Despite two defenders appearing to have got between the ball and the ground, the try was awarded and Brods appeared to have claimed the win.

            However, the remarkable missed kick gave Yarnbury a deserved win and a vital change in fortune.         

Pontefract 39 – Yarnbury 16

Yarnbury remain in the relegation dogfight after suffering defeat to promotion chasing Pontefract in a hard fought match.

            Yarnbury could not break the run of 28 years without at win at Pontefract, as a harsh score line flattered their opponents.

            The first half was even, both sides coming close to scoring, but savage defending resulted in the early points coming from the boot. Yarnbury’s Steve Galbraith exchanged penalties with the Ponty fly half to give a 3 all score line 20 minutes in.

            The hosts became stronger as the half went on, pinning Yarnbury back. The Brownberrie Lane side remained resolute in the tackle, but Pontefract eventually smashed their way over the line for the first try of the match.

            The conversion was added, but Galbraith hit another penalty to peg the Ponty lead back to four points.

That lead was almost extended right on half time. Ponty’s number eight broke from a scrum and stormed down field. He found his support and the Pontefract winger seemed to be cantering under the posts for the try. However, young Graham Maycock came off his wing to make a superb covering tackle to advert the score.

            The second period saw a feast of wonderful running rugby from both sides.  Pontefract got the important first score, breaking out wide; they soon had an overlap to score in the corner. The conversion and then a penalty were added and the hosts were edging away.

            Pontefract now had the bit between their teeth and soon scored two quick tries, to put the contest beyond doubt.

            To their credit Yarnbury did not lay down, as they stormed back at their opponents. Excellent forward play, inspired by the powerful Chris Wray and Wayne Butterfield, moved Yarnbury on to the try line. Ian Moule was stopped short, but his rampaging run had sucked in the defenders. Captain Phil Wray picked the loose ball up and bashed pasted three defenders to score his first try of the century.  

            Pontefract responded immediately, catching Yarnbury napping, they scored straight from kick off, after they stole possession from a lucky rebound.

             Yarnbury were to have the last say of the afternoon. Ben Horner, who was having another strong game, moved the ball up field and quick recycling gave Yarnbury an overlap. Simon Threllfall sprinted through a gap, outpaced two tacklers and cut past the full back to score under the posts.

            Two matches to go and Yarnbury need at least one win to keep them in Yorkshire One. 

Scarborough 7 – Yarnbury 23

Yarnbury have started 2004 in style after beating Scarborough in this basement battle, and moved up three league places in the process.

            With Scarborough propping up the table for the majority of the season and Yarnbury’s defeat to Keighley seeing them fall to second from bottom, this was a must win match for both sides.

            In freezing, blustery conditions on the east coast, Yarnbury started the brighter and, despite two weeks off, looked sharp in attack. The visitors were constantly finding gaps in the Scarborough defence, but failed to convert their pressure. Steve Galbraith had clearly left his kicking boots back in Leeds as he failed with his first three penalty attempts.

            With their poor start failing to be punished, Scarborough took the lead. Scarborough’s scrum was their only real weapon, so a scrum on Yarnbury’s own try line gave the hosts the perfect platform to score. Yarnbury held the attempted push over try twice, but on the third effort blind side flanker Joe Bennett was penalised for breaking early from the scrum and a penalty try was award.

            The conversion was easily added, to the delight of the numerous Scarborough fans. Yarnbury fought back and Galbraith finally stuck his first penalty to put Yarnbury on the board.

            The Brownberrie Lane side were dominating the proceedings, but failing to cross over the Scarborough try line. That was soon to changed thanks to an Andy Marshall score.

            Scarborough’s second row collected a wayward Yarnbury clearance kick, his eyes lit up as he saw centre Ben Horner in his way, and ran directly at him. The powerful centre smashed the rampaging lock with a fierce tackle, which forced the ball to come loose. Horner’s centre partner Marshall superbly picked up and he just had the legs to sprint in from 50 metres out.

            The difficult conversion was missed, but crucial Yarnbury led at the break, after holding out a Scarborough surge in the final minutes.

             As with the first half Yarnbury were the better team at the beginning of the second period. Gareth Jones and Simon Ellis were dominating the lineout and regularly stealing Scarborough ball, Bennett and Ian Moule were constantly turning over possession, while Simon Threllfall was having an inspired game on the wing, causing Scarborough all sorts of problems.    

            This resulted in Yarnbury quickly adding their second try. Good forward play moved Yarnbury into their hosts’ 22. The ball was released to the backs and Galbraith coolly grubber kicked through a flat-footed defence. John Bramham chased after the ball and beat the full back to score. Galbraith converted from in front of the posts.

            Typical of Yarnbury this season, they took their foot of the gas, and allowed Scarborough to come back into the match. This time however, the Leeds outfit’s defence was at its best. Playing with real passion Yarnbury’s players were putting their bodies on the line, and Scarborough could not break through.

            Yarnbury’s determination was highlighted when they held up another Scarborough push over try effort. With Scarborough’s belief and confidence fading, and then having a man sin binned, Yarnbury moved up field and forced the east coast side to see out the contest in their own half.

Good play from Threllfall and Jones down the left wing released lock Ellis to burst to the line. He was tackled a whisker away from line, but Scarborough were forced to concede a lineout.

Yarnbury won their ball and drove for the line. Scarborough halted the drive, but scrum half Andy Cowley spotted a gap and leapt over to score a deserved third try. Galbraith again missed the conversion from the touchline, but hit a penalty from in front of the sticks in the last minute, to put the game beyond doubt.

            This was Yarnbury’s first win in 4 matches, and it provides the Brownberrie Lane side with a superb chance of Yorkshire One Survival. For Scarborough Yorkshire Two beckons.   

Dinnington 20 – Yarnbury 3

The threat of relegation still looms large over Yarnbury after they suffered a demoralising defeat to Dinnington, which saw them fall back into the bottom three.

            Yarnbury’s inconsistant season has been summed up in the first two weeks of 2004. After a strong showing last week verses Scarborough, Yarnbury produced their worst performance of the season against Dinnington.

            Yarnbury’s build up to match did not start well, arriving in Sheffield just 40 minutes before kick off.

            The opening exchanges were spent in midfield, with neither team being able to grasp the upper hand. Wet conditions and a muddy pitch resulting in handling errors, and plenty of turn over ball.

            The hosts took the lead through a Dean Lax penalty, but Galbraith soon struck an equalising kick of his own. Both sides had chances for the opening try.

            First a Dinnington counter attack down the left wing smashed through the Yarnbury defence, only for the excellent Simon Threllfall to intercept what would have been a try scoring passing and clear his lines. The winger has been in superb form of late and clearly deserved his first team tie, awarded after the match.

            Yarnbury came close soon after. Following a good driving maul, Galbraith cleverly switched play from left to right catching Dinnington by surprise. Once tackled the fly half’s pass to the awaiting winger John Bramham was tapped down by a defending hand just a metre from the line, and the chance had gone.

            With half time looming and the scores level, Dinnington took a dramatic lead. Breaking down the right, Yarnbury defenders were sucked across leaving the hosts an overlap opportunity. The huge Dinnington winger crashed through four Yarnbury tackles to score in the corner.

            The conversion was missed and Yarnbury were 8 –3 down at the interval. Dinnington soon extended that advantage just 2 minutes into the second period. Powerful runs through the middle moved the Sheffield outfit up field and they broke down the wing once more to score.

            With another conversion attempt missed, Yarnbury were still in the contest. However they lacked their normal trademark fight and passion and failed to threaten the Dinnington try line. 

            Instead, the hosts heaped on the pressure and scored two more tries in the final 10 minutes to crush Yarnbury spirits.