Burley 9, Baildon 8

Baildon came within the width of a post of ending a poor run of SSE Yorkshire Division Three results which now sees them without a win since the beginning of October (York RI).

With first-choice kicker Andy Patchett having left the pitch halfway through the second half with a badly sprained ankle, it fell to centre Nicky Lister to attempt to convert JJ O'Connell's last-gasp try to win the game but his excellent attempt from the right touchline shaved the wrong side of the post to deny the Jenny Laners victory and leave them with a single losing bonus point for the third time in their last four outings.

In a game that produced few try-scoring opportunities, Baildon's failure to take advantage of the pronounced slope in the first half proved their downfall.

Patchett's penalty on nine minutes put his side in front but a gilt-edged try-scoring opportunity presented itself on 25 minutes after full back O'Connell had collected a hacked-on ball in his opponents' 22.

He went on his own, only to spill the ball in a last-ditch tackle rather than using the overlap, and with the home side cancelling out Patchett's effort on the stroke of half-time, Baildon had left themselves with a lot to do in the second half.

Having conceded two early penalty scores after the restart, the Jenny Laners changed their tactics to pick-and-go, which began to reap dividends with No 8 Matt Williams and prop Adam Hewitt breaking the gain line with several strong bursts, only to be thwarted by some tenacious Burley defence.

In the last 20 minutes, Baildon battered the home try-line, only to be denied a win which they probably deserved, leaving them regretting a poor first-half which cost them the game.