YORK RI will take the Yorkshire Three title battle right down to the wire.

That's the message coming out of the New Lane camp after their shock last-gasp 10-9 defeat at the hands of Leeds Corinthians.

What seemed to be a home banker turned into a nightmare as RI could not turn a bucketload of possession into goals.

"It is a big set-back, but we are still very much in the race," said club spokesman Nigel Lowery after seeing his side beaten in the eighth minute of injury time.

RI have three league games remaining and probably need to win them all if they are to win the divisional crown.

They travel to leaders Heath on Saturday, April 28 and then entertain Malton and Norton on Wednesday, May 2 in an encounter which is bound to attract a big crowd.

RI wrap up their league season against Sheffield Oaks on May 12.

But they will look back on Saturday's encounter as two points lost.

RI were caught napping when they conceded a try in the first half, but by the interval two Matthew Yates penalties had put them in front.

Another Yates kick after the interval put RI further ahead but as they were pressing hard for a late try to make the game safe, Corinthians intercepted and broke towards the home line.

Matthew Madigan gave chase and pulled off a great tackle five yards from his own line. But from the resulting lineout Corinthians won the ball and their scrum-half nipped over for a late, late match-winning score.

Defeat was hard luck on back row forwards Manu Foto and Alex Pride, who had worked tirelessly throughout.

After next week's Tetley's Bitter Vase final against Hoylake, title rivals Malton face Sheffield Tigers in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Shield at Malton on Wednesday, April 25. They then have three remaining league games - all away - at Otliensians (Saturday, April 28), RI (Wednesday, May 2 7pm) and Halifax Vandals (Saturday, May 5).

Updated: 12:05 Monday, April 16, 2001