Old Rishworthians shook off the rustiness of a month-long lay-off to register their first away win in Yorkshire II as they beat bottom side Baildon 13-6.

The visitors dominated the first-half and perhaps should have had a lead more than double the 10-0 advantage they held.

The hosts raised their game in the second-half, but Rishworthians showed all-round superiority with an excellent defensive display.

On his return from Otley, Chris Dyson showed why he had been missed, and there were good displays by lock Fraser Swarbrooke, prop Ryan Mudd and utility-back Joe Billing, who was standing in at scrum-half.

It was all Rishworthians straight from the kick-off, but rustiness in the first 20 minutes, coupled with some excellent Baildon tackling, meant the game remained scoreless.

Rishworthians got their first try after flanker Richard Wild stole the ball in a lineout. From there, they worked a training ground move with player-coach Damian Ball putting centre Kurt Sutcliffe clear, who passed for winger Anthony Shoesmith to score.

Rishworthians completed the first-half with their second try, as Ball put teenage winger Rhys Town in.

Playing uphill and against the wind in the second-half, Rishworthians had to defend, but they almost added to their total when Shoesmith intercepted, but he was just caught.

Scoring in the second-half was restricted to penalties as Baildon landed two, but the visitors’ defence was so good the hosts never looked like scoring a try.

Billing calmed Rishworthian nerves with a successful kick to complete the scoring, and the Copley men eased out the remaining minutes to secure their sixth win of the season.