YORK Groves' final game in Pennine League division five ended in disappointment as they fell to a 28-10 defeat to already promoted Thornton.
Playing in blisteringly hot conditions it was Groves that started the better team, with Matt Withers most notably causing the visitors trouble with a series of strong runs coming in from centre.
And it was Withers who crashed over in the corner for the first score before Thornton got themselves into the lead with a runaway try.
They were to extend their lead before the break - taking a 12-4 advantage at half-time.
Early in the second-half, Thornton ran in another breakaway try and then quickly added another.
Matt Withers was still running and causing problems for Thornton though and it was he again who would cross the line for Groves, going over from a short way out to give them a lifeline.
It was always going to be Thornton's day and another converted try saw the tie ended.
Brothers Matt and Liam Withers were Groves' best players in a game which saw kicker Jason Dunn and full-back Mark Arnold hang up their boots.
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