York RI U15s avenged defeat in the Rhino Harrogate Tens competition by beating Old Leodensians 25-18.

Leos struck first with a Chris Wilson penalty but the hosts countered when Robbie Warriner fielded the ball, ran deep into the opposition half and from the resulting scrum Matthew Howse powered over for a try.

Soon after Ollie Mills steam-rollered over after the pack had driven a maul some 20 yards for a 10-3 half-time lead to RI.

The visitors opened the scoring in the second-half with another Wilson penalty before Tom Heslop took a quick tap penalty to power over from 15 yards. Daniel Hunt then crossed for RI's fourth try.

Against the wind the heavier visitors' forwards took effect, Richard Greenfield and Matthew Golisti scoring tries to which Wilson added one conversion to cut the deficit to two points. But any panic the RI faithful had was dispelled when with five minutes to go Dave West went over for RI's fifth try.

York RUFC U12s walloped hosts Wetherby 47-0, hammered Harrogate 21-0 and then overcame Old Leiodiensians 15-0 in the preliminary round of the Yorkshire Cup to extend their record of not conceding a point in the competition for the last three years.

In the opening pool match York ran in seven tries via Gareth Drabble (2), Seb Batchelor, Jack Page, Joseph Maud, George Milligan and William Ashman.

York then defended stoically against a howling wind in the first-half against Harrogate. They then took command after the break, Harrogate having no answer to the pressure which yielded tries for Milligan, Drabble and Maud.

Then to round off the fine day Old Leos were put to the sword by tries from Milligan, Drabble and Andy Fraser.

York RUFC U9's hosted a strong Sandal side against whom they lost 10-5 before countering to force a 10-10 draw in the second game.

Just before half time Jack Maud scored a lovely scrum half's try, picking the ball up from the back of the scrum and dodging to the line.

Soon after half-time the visitors levelled and then as York started to tire Sandal added a decisive second.

In the second game York showed great courage and commitment. Adam Johnson played well and it was good to see Rhys Mills and Daniel Allen getting involved in the play and closing down Sandal's attack. Maud scored both York's tries.

Updated: 12:01 Tuesday, November 27, 2001