Wetherby 10, Old Grovians 22

Old Grovians travelled to Wetherby yesterday keen to obtain their first away win of the season in Yorkshire Division Four.

Straight from the whistle, it was Wetherby who gained the upper hand with a combination of good use of the boot and enterprising back play, leading to much of the game being in the Grovians half.

The pressure eventually told when Wetherby launched a counter-attack from inside their own half, leading to a well-taken try which was unconverted.

Grovians tried to up their game,but lacked the precision and patience to convert a number of half-chances.

Towards the end of the first half it remained 5-0 and Grovians seemed to be unable to increase their intensity to make a breakthrough.

Just before half-time, a skirmish broke out between both teams and this seemed to give Grovians the excuse they had been looking for to up the aggression levels and start to play through the phases.

At the start of the second half, good driving play, led by the impressive Gaz Phillips and Chris Blackhall, preceded a well-converted penalty by Adam Weaving.

Grovians really stepped up the pace and were unlucky to have a well-worked try ruled out by a debatable forward pass, but the first try was not long in coming as another backs move led to Anthony Griffin scoring his first try of the season, converted by Weaving.

Jake Young quickly followed this up by scooting in under the posts for a well-taken try, again converted by Weaving.

The best try was yet to come, however. The forwards provided quick ball, and quick hands by the backs led to Dean Hogg walking in at the corner.

Grovians were really threatening to run away with it at this point but credit to Wetherby as they upped their game and capitalised on a Grovians mistake trying to go for the bonus point which presented Wetherby with a try in the last minute, converted by the opposition's stand-out full back.

This was a better performance from Grovians, especially in the second half when the forwards, marshalled by the energetic Matt Worrall, went through the phases and presented the backs with good, clean ball.

Next week, Leeds Corinthians come to Apperley Bridge and this will surely be a tough encounter.