Very little to choose between rivals in close-fought top of table encounters
HEATH SLIPPED to fourth place in North One East after Saturday’s 18-8 home loss to leaders Driffield.
An unconverted try gave Driffield a narrow 5-0 lead at the break but Heath improved on the resumption and Ben Stringer crossed to level the scores with 55 minutes played.
Driffield edged 8-5 ahead with a penalty only for the hosts to storm back and their pressure was rewarded with Alex Bull’s penalty that levelled matters again with five minutes remaining.
The home side pushed for the wining score only to be caught on the break with two late tries as Driffield wrappedup a rather flattering win.
Meanwhile, fifth-placed Old Brodleians drew 17-17 at Durham City.
The Yorkshire One top-ofthe-table clash between Pontefract and Old Crossleyans ended in a 15-15 draw.
Joe Gallagher kicked a penalty from 40 metres out to give Crocs an early lead but the home side responded with a converted try from Liam Kaye.
Pontefract crossed again to take a 12-3 lead into the break but the visitors reduced the arrears to two when Billy Hammond raced over for a converted score.
A penalty allowed Pontefract to make it 15-10 only for Crocs to respond again, Joe Buckle touching-down to level.
Meanwhile, Old Rishworthian recovered from conceding a converted try to win 29-7 at Huddersfield YMCA.
Oliver Marshall’s try, converted by Josh Kelly, restored parity before Kelly edged Rishies ahead with a penalty.
Ethan Pollard crossed, Kelly adding the extras, before the break and Rishies stormed away with Callum Heseltine and Marshall crossing and Kelly adding one goal to secure the points.