HEATH’S Hopes of climbing away from the bottom of Yorkshire I were dashed with a narrow 39-31 away defeat at Bridlington.

Heath had to make changes due to the late withdrawal of Lewis McKenzie, which saw Dom Walsh brought back into the fold at full-back, with Si Brown moving on to the wing and they travelled without substitutes.

Heath began solidly in the opening half but trailed 15-7 at the interval, a Chris Moore try being goaled by Ezra Hinchliffe.

The started of the second half saw the sides trade scores with Giles Hetherington crossing for a try and Hinchliffe adding a goal and a penalty, but the home side then hit top gear to increase their lead to 39-17 just after the hour.

Heath finished strongly and tries from skipper Dave Montgomery and Rob Thackray, plus two Hinchliffe conversions gave them hope, but they ran out of time.

Yorkshire I rivals Old Brodleians scored an impressive away win as they were 33-29 victors at Pontefract.

In Yorkshire III leaders Old Rishworthians maintained their 10-point advantage at the top with an 18-7 home win over Northallerton.

In Yorkshire IV Halifax Vandals remained upwardly mobile as their 19-18 home victory over Hornsea took them up to fifth, but Halifax were beaten away from home going down 41-7 at Harrogate Pythons.