Old Grovians 70 Aireborough 10

HOOKER Matt Worrall celebrated with a try after returning from 15 months out with a broken leg in this Old Grovians romp in a SSE Yorkshire Division Three derby.

With a home skill set that wouldn't have been out of place in a higher division, and under the watchful eye of excellent referee Coralie Greban, who was also returning to Elm Tree Farm, Grovians held sway on an enjoyable afternoon.

Midway through their series of five home games, and coming off the back of a good win against third-placed Northallerton, Old Grovians soon carved out two great opportunities.

The first was lost by a wayward pass from centre Anthony Griffin to winger Aaron Magee five yards out but when the roles were soon reversed, Magee opted not to pass and ran through to score, Nathan Barr converting.

Aireborough responded with some good pick and goes to score a converted try of their own minutes later but the home forwards then created enough pressure for Barr to land a penalty and give them the lead at 10-7.

With the bit now between their teeth, Grovians soon scored via winger Dion Hendricks in the corner after good work by Harry Garforth and Griffin, and Worrall then had the presence of mind to dive over from a quickly taken penalty close in, Barr's conversion making it 22-7.

The visitors pulled back three points via a penalty but Barr then converted Griffin's try after the centre had dummied twice to throw off defenders and kicked a penalty to make the half-time score 32-10.

Aireborough had their spells of possession in the second half and didn't throw in the towel but they still conceded 38 points without reply in the second half.

Skipper Christian Baines was the first to cross, and he was followed by lock Joe Lawrence after good work by Harry Garforth and Griffin, Barr converting the first and Adam Weaving the second.

Then, with Grovians at their clinical best, James Yates ran in three tries in 18 minutes, showing his strength with the first try and quick feet to find a gap with the next two.

The coup de gras went to Hendricks, but there was still time for Weaving to show that he is not all about kicking goals with an impressive run that didn't bring a try.