YORK RI RUFC notched only their second victory of the Yorkshire Four season in a dour struggle at fellow strugglers Ossett.

RI gave a much-improved display to win 16-10 and climb towards mid-table in the early standings.

Home side Ossett notched a converted try for a 7-0 lead, taking advantage of RI having a man yellow-carded for a technical offence.

But the York outfit were playing well and captain Frazer Land converted two penalty chances to bring them back to 7-6 at the interval.

The visitors started the second half brightly and went ahead as man-of-the-match Tim Lewis made a sublime run and fed speedster Andy Brentnall to score in the corner.

Then to calm RI nerves, Lewis latched onto a loose ball after a kick was charged down and raced 50 metres to the whitewash to make it 16-7.

Ossett as expected threw everything at RI and right at the death scored a penalty but there was no time to seek a match-winning try.

Meanwhile, Nestle Rowntree RUFC enjoyed an impressive 24-10 win in a hard-fought home game against Morley's development team.

Hooker Jack Gabbatiss was the hero with a hat-trick of tries in the first half to send them on their way.

Early Trees pressure saw him crash over for his first, Jack Daniels converting, and further pressure left Morley stunned as the hooker grabbed two more in quick succession, the first being a real team effort.

In windy conditions the conversions were missed.

Morley sprung into action and began to enjoy a lot more possession and, although Trees were tackling tenaciously, they could do nothing to prevent the Leeds side breaking their duck, the heavy pack steaming over for an uncovered try before the break.

The second half saw Trees under the cosh but gradually they began to gain the upper hand and, after 60 minutes, centre Jack Stearman - the former York City Knights rugby league prop and current New Earswick All Blacks ARLC player-coach - barged over from 25 metres to ease the pressure. Daniels converted.

A late Morley try gave them hope but Trees' defence held firm.