NEWSOME Panthers came within a whisker of grabbing success in their Under 16 section of the Yorkshire Youth Combination but were eventually beaten 38-28 at home by Clayton.

Newsome started well with Eddie McGuire chasing the kick-off but Panthers spilled their first chance in a good attacking position.

But from then on the team let their standards slip and started leaking tries regularly and found themselves 22-0 down due mainly to poor tackling and unforced errors.

However, the introduction of Jake Brook, who was returning after an ankle injury, heralded an increase in tempo from the Panthers.

Pressure produced chance and fast handling across the field gave Ronan Hooper the ball with space, but work to do and some fine side-steps saw him through to score a great try – reaching out to score under the close attention of two defenders.

The Panthers upped their defence – primarily led by Eddie McGuire – and Harry Peters, Brad Neen, Nat Hartley and Jason Lancaster demonstrated some fine defensive skills.

In attack the Panthers also intensified their efforts and after swift passing it was Jason Lancaster who scored a powerful try.

Pressure on the shell-shocked Clayton defence saw Panthers move the ball across the field quickly and after a strong runs from Jake Brook and Lancaster, the ball was switched back inside and, after a great pass inside by McGuire, receiver Connor Matheson showed his skill and intuition to an excellent try which he converted by himself.

The fightback saw the Panthers trailing by just 22-14 at half-time but unfortunately a mistake early in the second half led to Clayton increasing their lead with a stroll over try.

Panthers responded with great pressure and the influential Brook showed he was back in form with a powerful try.

Clayton showed why they are so high in the table by keeping their noses in front with another try, but the Panthers never gave up and Lee Mellor latched on to a fantastic pass from Callum Hayes to score a try out wide.

Panthers pulled even closer as Nat Hartley and Peters combined to put Brook in for a try converted by Connor.

A great run by Ryan Edwards almost produced another score to cut Clayton’s lead but Panthers could not catch up.

The Newsome Under 12 side travelled to Batley Boys and were beaten 40-18.

Batley scored three unanswered tries before Innes Senior put Newsome on the scoreboard with a try which was converted by Jasper McGuire.

The half time score was 16-6 and Newsome started the second half much more brightly and within five minutes McGuire went over for the second try which he converted.

Unfortunately for the visitors Batley added further tries putting the game out of reach before Louis Senior added Newsome’s third try, again converted by McGuire.

Daniel Paxman and Jordan James put in some fine tackling stints, with James awarded man of the match.

Newsome Panthers Under 14 players Rob Denton and Izaac Farrell have been successful in Yorkshire Service Area trials.

The pair will start training with the county squad next month.