NORTH Ribblesdale stay second-from-bottom in Yorkshire Two following a 20-6 defeat at Old Grovians.

In an even game where Ribblesdale had the lion’s share of possession, it was second-placed Grovians' defence and two excellently-taken tries that were the difference between the two teams.

Grovians took the lead after 20 minutes after an evenly-matched first quarter when Ben Brown kicked a penalty from the edge of the 22.

Ribblesdale hit back five minutes later with a penalty of their own from 30 metres out.

On the half-hour Danny Secker collected a clearance kick by Ribblesdale on halfway and set full-back Max Kennedy on a run.

He side-stepped three defenders before breaking through the middle and his well-timed pass put centre Anthony Griffin in on the left-hand side. Brown kicked the conversion.

Just on half time Ribblesdale reduced the lead with a penalty to make the interval score 10-6 to Grovians.

The second-half saw both sides putting in great defence in the soggy conditions.

Brown extended Grovians' lead to 13-6 with another penalty before, on 62 minutes, Griffin broke from his own 22 and sent Kennedy racing away down the right wing to score under the posts. Brown converted to give Grovians a 20-6 lead with 20 minutes to play.

Ribblesdale rallied but twice Grovians drove them back at lineouts in the latter side's 22. With five minutes left Brown missed a penalty just dragging his kick wide for Grovians.

On Saturday, North Ribb are on their travels again when they face fourth-from-bottom Wath-upon-Dearne in their next Yorkshire Two clash (2.15pm kick-off).

They will then have two more games until the Christmas break. They will be on then road for a third-successive weekend when they go to Northallerton on Saturday, December 7. This will then have their first home game in four weeks when they host Barnsley on December 14 to wrap up their action for 2019.

Meanwhile, Wharfedale and North Ribb under-16s laid on an entertaining spectacle at The Avenue on Sunday.

With only five recognised forwards, and missing eight players through injury, North Ribb took an early lead as winger Leo Walkden blazed in at the corner after some accurate handling in the backs.

Man of the match flanker Dan Wills lead by example but, with too little rucking experience in the Ribb pack, the Wharfedale forwards dominated and Wharfedale took a 17-5 lead into half time.

Wharfedale added a classy fourth try shortly after the break, but neither side could add to the score, so the match finished 22-5 to Wharfedale.