NESTLE Rowntree faced another tough game at home to Wetherby Crusaders but again the pack played as a unit to give the backs good ball.

From the start, Trees drove forward and, after a strong run from centre Dave Straker, the forwards mauled the ball to the corner for hooker Jack Gabbatiss to score with five minutes gone.

From the restart, Trees won the ball and Jack Gabbatiss was driven over in the other corner for Trees to lead 10-0.

Play then went from end to end until close on half-time. Trees conceded a converted try but hit back when Straker scored and Jack Daniels converted.

Back came Wetherby to score again to make it 17-14 at the break.

Trees’ defence was put under pressure in the second half and it appeared the game was slipping away when Wetherby scored an unconverted try.

But they regrouped and, after 65 minutes, winger Stuart Dickinson raced in with Daniels converting. Both defences then held firm to give Trees a hard-earned 24-19 victory.

Trees are at Morley 2nds this Saturday in a rearranged fixture in Yorkshire RFU Central and North Merit League Division One as Castleford 2nds have pulled out of the league.