Old Grovians 17, Hemsworth 18 Adam Weaving missed a difficult penalty with two minutes to go as Old Grovians lost a riveting contest to their promotion rivals.
The hosts struck first with a move straight from the training ground. Scrum half John Hinchliffe fed Ben Brown, who weighted a perfect cross-field kick for winger Dean Hogg to race on to, cutting inside his man before scoring under the posts.
The visitors replied with a successful penalty before Hinchliffe tripped a Hemsworth player and received a yellow card. Hemsworth took advantage with two tries to lead 18-10 at the break, both sides also adding a penalty.
The second half was an intense battle with Hemsworth’s fly half using his right boot to good effect.
As in the first half, a reckless moment presented an opening when a high tackle saw Hemsworth reduced to 14 men.
Grovians took advantage as Kris Lilley beat three players on the right wing to score under the posts.
With veteran lock Paul Exley to the fore, the hosts got the chance they were looking for when they were awarded a penalty. But Weaving’s kick from 22-metre line wide out on the left just missed.
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