YORK GROVES Amateur Rugby League Club were let down by their defence as they lost a high scoring Tetley's Barla Yorkshire Cup first round encounter with Castleford Panthers.

Panthers scored two tries, both goaled, before Danny Buy opened Groves' account, twisting in the tackle to reach over the line. Jason Dunn added the extras.

Panthers scored twice more to lead 24-8 at half-time, but Groves had the better of the second half, scoring four tries to Castleford's three.

Man of the match James Foster-Rain barged over from a tap penalty. Mark Pitchford scored two tries, the first from an excellent passing movement to score in the corner and the second a 60 metre sprint after scooping the ball from the floor after a Panthers mistake.

The final try came from player-coach Simon Moat, who carried three defenders over the line. Dunn goaled two of the tries.

Also crashing at the first hurdle were New Earswick All Blacks, beaten 26-20 by Redhill, who had knocked them out of the competition last season.

It was a see-saw game which could have gone either way, the lead changing hands several times.

Carl Pallister gave New Earswick the lead with a 20th minute penalty, but Redhill responded with a converted try before Pallister kicked another penalty.

On the stroke of half-time Jamie Rhodes kicked through for Matt Godrey to score under the posts and allow Pallister a simple conversion.

Within seconds of the second half starting, Redhill went 12-10 up with a try wide out which was converted.

All Blacks regained the lead when prop Pete Johnson, the man-of-the-match, barged over and Pallister added the extras.

On the hour the lead changed hands with a converted Redhill try. A further penalty and converted try put Redhill 26-16 in front with ten minutes remaining.

Matt Godfrey's second try set up a thrilling finish, but All Blacks were unable to snatch victory.

Ex-Heworth prop Phil Marwood played well on his New Earswick debut.

Updated: 11:15 Tuesday, September 16, 2003