TWO tries in the last five minutes condemned a depleted York RI to a 31-13 Yorkshire Three defeat at Castleford.

For 70 minutes, it could have gone either way, but the late scores sealed a flattering win for Cas.

RI, with Paul Reed playing his first game of the season and Jack Woodham deputising for the injured Andrew Morse and Ian Andrews, soon found themselves behind.

Tries by Barnham and Price, one converted by Price, to a penalty from Ruddi Thomas, gave Cas a 12-3 lead on the half-hour.

Forceful runs by Nathan Ashman, David Sowray and centres Travis Tressider and Thomas, saw RI make inroads and from a set-piece the ball was shipped wide for full-back Tim Nash to burst through.

With the half-time score 12-8, the game was now in the balance with both sides going close only for the defences to hold firm until a moment of misfortune allowed Cas to increase their lead.

A knock-on on their own 22-metre gave the hosts a scrum, and from that, centre Damien Ball scored under the posts, Price's converting.

RI hit back as another Nash break and an inside pass gave Thomas a run to the line but their battling efforts thereafter were in vain.

Updated: 12:53 Monday, November 03, 2003