A GRITTY defensive display earned York RI RUFC their fifth win in six matches in Yorkshire Four.

The New Lane side overcame the sending off of Rob Agen and a string of yellow cards as they managed to hang on for a 19-13 victory at Mosborough on Saturday.

RI started the game with no substitutes and a team made up mostly of forwards, and they were hit with two yellow cards at the same time.

They trailed 10-6, with Baptiste Briu kicking two superb penalties for RI in a swirling wind.

Christophe Evrat powered over for a try just before half-time and Briu added the conversion to give the visitors a deserved 13-10 interval lead.

After a second yellow card 15 minutes into the second period, Agen was sent off and Mosborough added the penalty to tie the scores at 13-13.

RI withstood a long spell of pressure on their line from the home side’s heavy pack.

On rare breakaway, they were handed the chance of long-range penalty kick, which Briu brilliantly slotted over. He also landed another kick to stretch the lead.

Ten minutes from the time, RI prop Andy McCarthy was yellow carded but once again their 13 men defended desperately against a rampaging pack to hold out for their seventh victory of the campaign.

Briu was RI’s man of the match for his 14-point haul, but the entire team deserved the accolade for their tireless defensive display.

Meanwhile, York’s opening pool two game at Consett in the Northern Division Intermediate Cup was postponed.

Selby’s reward for their 34-24 Yorkshire Shield quarter-final win at York is a home semi-final tie against Scarborough.

Scarborough were 17-0 winners at home to Guisborough in the last eight and they will travel to Sandhill Lane on Saturday, February 22.

The second semi-final sees Ilkley host West Leeds.