YORKSHIRE III leaders Old Rishworthians notched a hard-earned 16-9 home win over Baildon.

The visitors are the only side to have beaten Rishworthians this season and in the second half made the men from Copley sweat.

Rishworthians were in control in the first half and reached half-time 16-0 ahead, but their second half performance seemed to have no cohesion and they had little possession.

James Clarke scored the only try of the game for the home side and, although the visitors were much improved in the second half, they never looked like scoring a try.

In the first half Baildon missed three very kickable penalties, while Aaron Canning missed a difficult chance and then landed one to give his side the lead.

Rishworthians’ try started with a breakout from their own line with stand-off Luke Flanagan’s kick almost putting flanker Chris Dyson in, but it forced a five-metre scrum and there was no stopping No8 Clarke from close range and Canning added the conversion.

Winger Anthony Shoesmith then went on a searing run to the line, but was called back for a forward pass, but Canning landed two more penalties before the break.

From the restart it all changed as Rishworthians were penalised time after time.

They had one bright moment when replacement Nick Faulkner put in a strong driving run and centre Kurt Sutcliffe almost got in at the corner.

The ball came back though and replacement lock Harry Collett was held up over the line.