BRADFORD & Bingley failed to build on their early second-half momentum as they slid to a 31-15 defeat at Ossett on Saturday.

They could not crack the home defence after moving to within two points on the scoreboard after 47 minutes and left the back door open to concede a couple of converted tries.

With former England manager Geoff Cooke watching from the stand next to the clubhouse, the Bees were first on the scoreboard on the quarter-hour mark of this Counties Two Yorkshire clash.

Although Ossett appeared to have a big pack, the Bees technique in the tight saw them driving the home side back, and the drive to the line to the left of the posts which opened the scoring was a fair reflection of how the opening exchanges were going.

However, the lead lasted all of three minutes as a speculative kick towards the Bees posts took a fortuitous bounce back over the covering defenders to land in the grateful arms of the onrushing Ossett centre, who was able to dot down under the posts.

Jim Nicholas was held up over the Ossett line as the Bees pack drove the home forwards back, but then a 27th minute penalty further extended the home advantage.

With three minutes to go to half time Ossett were over again as the home back line finished off a close-range move with the Bees’ defence scrambling and failing to get into position.

Despite being 17-5 in front, Ossett did not have a comfortable lead, and when Dom Walker slotted home an early second-half penalty for B&B, the gap was reduced to single figures.

Ryan Wilson then zipped down the right to score for the visitors, which was converted to bring them back within two points.

The Bees spent the next period of the game camped in the Ossett half, looking for the score that would give them the lead.

But despite a number of promising-looking breaks from the Bees pack, and several pile-ups within touching distance of the line, Ossett held firm.

Then, suddenly the home side finally got a foothold in Bradford & Bingley territory and good handling along the backline saw them score a converted try out wide on the left.

The Bees then had a penalty directly in front of the posts, but chose to kick to the corner for an attacking lineout, which was wasted.

Late on, Ossett were awarded a penalty on a visit to the Bradford & Bingley 22 and the ball went wide to the left for a simple score.

The extras were added to make the score 31-15 to Ossett with the clock ticking down.

A yellow card on 76 minutes saw the home side reduced to 14 men, but the Bees could not batter their way over the line in the final exchanges.

Their Counties Two rivals Baildon also lost, going down 27-17 at home to Dinnington, meaning both they and the Bees have only won one of their three games so far.

Luke Strauss scored both of Baildon's tries on Saturday in their defeat against Dinnington.Luke Strauss scored both of Baildon's tries on Saturday in their defeat against Dinnington. (Image: Mick Massey.)

There are no such concerns for newly-promoted Bradford Salem, who have shot to the top of Regional Two North East, coming from 10-7 down early in the second half on Saturday to win 31-10.

Keighley also have three wins from three, but are only fourth after scraping their way to an underwhelming 23-8 win at Leodiensian.

Finally, in Regional One North East, Cleckheaton lost their second game from three after being hammered 50-13 at York.