Welcome victory is big tonic for YMCA

level, however, as prop Jack Clayton crashed over. Scrum-half Ian Barker converted.

YMCA soon regained control, though, as more quick hands created an opportunity for Ledgard out wide and he took it well.

Stead failed to add the extras and Wheatley Hills again came back at YMCA, when brothers Sam and Tom Kerry combined with the latter going over. Barker’s conversion was unsuccesful.

Sam Fletcher’s break enabled him to jink round a handful of Wheatley Hills defenders before scoring from deep inside his own half and edging YMCA ahead again.

Stead missed with the conversion, but YMCA were on top.

Fletcher was the beneficiary of a well-worked passing move from YMCA, crossing for his second try inside 10 minutes.

Stead’s conversion missed again but the hosts went into the break with a 10-point lead.

Wheatley Hills started the secondhalf slowly and were reduced to 14 men when scrum-half Barker was sin-binned for a poor tackle.

YMCA immediately punished the visitors as Stead scored. Stead also added the extras.

YMCA soon found themselves a man down, however, as Scholes was sent to the bin following a high tackle, but it didn’t cost YMCA who scored again.

Ben Emsley forced his way over from close-range towards the end of the second-half and Stead converted.

Stead soon crossed for his second of the game, forcing his way through the Wheatley Hills defence and racing to the line.

Stead again converted, sealing the victory for YMCA.

YMCA don’t have a fixture next weekend but travel to Penrith in a fortnight’s time.

Driffield currently have a game in hand on YMCA while Morpeth, Percy Park, Malton and Norton and Dinnington can all leapfrog YMCA with victories.

Durham City occupy the second relegation spot and trail YMCA by eight points. STEVE DIAMOND faces a disciplinary hearing after allegedly verbally abusing match officials following Sale’s Anglo-Welsh Cup win over Harlequins.

The Sale Sharks rugby director will attend the Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary hearing on Wednesday evening, in a matter relating to Sale’s 13-10 win at Harlequins on February 3.

The former Russia coach is alleged to have verbally abused match officials.

“Steve Diamond of Sale Sharks will appear before an RFU Disciplinary panel charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and/or the game,” read an RFU statement.

“Following the conclusion of the Anglo-Welsh Cup match between Harlequins and Sale on Friday, February 3, the Sale director of rugby is alleged to have verbally abused the match officials.

“Diamond will appear before an RFU Discipline panel chaired by Sam Hillas on Wednesday, February 22 at 6:30pm.” ■■Worcester flanker Phil Dowson will retire at the end of the season to join Northampton’s coaching staff, with Saints bosses backing rugby director Jim Mallinder’s stewardship.

Former Northampton backrower Dowson will return to Franklin’s Gardens this summer as an assistant coach.