York RI gave a tremendous display to topple unbeaten Yorkshire Three leaders Wath-upon-Dearne 14-12 thanks to a late 25-metre drop goal from Matthew Yates.
Rain made conditions hard but RI took the game to the hosts and only stout defence stopped Josh Sowray and Jon Alexander from crossing before RI went ahead through two Ben Hobson penalties.
Wath used their big pack to keep the ball tight and drive RI back and from one drive, RI conceded a lineout on their own 22. The ball was caught by prop Neville Angel, who was driven over in the corner.
Kicking down the slope in the second period, Yates' boot kept the hosts penned in their own half. However, an opportunist try by winger Andrew Barrett, Dave Hunter converting, put Wath 12-6 ahead with 15 minutes to go.
RI pressurised Wath and when a pass was fumbled, RI pounced. Humphries picked up and, when tackled, passed to Thomas, who was hauled down just short. A scrum was given and a quick heel saw scrum-half Tim Nash set Yates dummying to the posts.
A missed goal meant RI still trailed 12-11 with five min-utes left but from another scrum, Yates got the winner.
Updated: 10:27 Monday, October 10, 2005
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