A much improved York RI came from behind to defeat a lively Leeds Corinthians 21-18 in Yorkshire Three.

Injuries and unavailability forced changes to RI's backs, with Nigel Hutchinson replacing Ward at scrum half, and Tom Heslop coming in on the wing for his second senior game since coming up from the juniors.

Playing down the slope in the first half, RI went in front when winger Tim Nash broke through the home defence to touch down in the corner.

Corinthians replied with a penalty before a scrum half Hutchinson extended RI's lead when he barged over from close range.

At 10-3 up RI looked comfortable, but a couple of mistakes that led to tries and a penalty from speedy full back Dutton, saw RI go into the break 18-10 down.

The interval appeared to do RI the power of good, as after ten minutes Howard Reed charged down Dutton's clearance kick and got to the touch down first.

With Corinthians in their sights RI kept the ball tight and the home side penned in their own half, despite the advantage of the slope.

The pressure finally told and on the half hour two Matthew Yates' penalties inched RI in front to complete a well earned victory over a side that belied its lowly position.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, December 08, 2003