Aireborough 16

Old Rishworthians 22

(Yorkshire III)

OLD RISHWORTHIANS clung on with determined defence to extend their lead at the top of the table to 16 points.

They struggled in the scrums on a heavy pitch, and at the end managed to hold the ball up over their line and then forced a knock-on to end the game.

The first half belonged to Rishworthians who scored three touchdowns, but it might have had six but for dropped or forward passes as they were in front 19-8 at the interval.

A quickly taken penalty saw Aireborough score an early try in the corner, but a strong midfield run by left wing Anthony Shoesmith set it up for flanker Chris Dyson to level the score for the visitors, and then stand-off Josh Kelly threaded a kick for full-back Aaron Canning to score and convert his own try.

No 8 James Clarke then set up the position for centre Kurt Sutcliffe to coast over with Canning converting.

The second half opened with Aireborough forcing another try in the corner.

Although Rishworthians spent much of the second half on defence, they looked dangerous on the break and when they forced their way into the home half, with prop Reuben Pollard prominent, it brought a Canning penalty.

Aireborough clawed back three points and put the visitors under pressure on their own line, but superb defence held them out.