NESTLE Rowntree RUFC extended their unbeaten run with a hard-earned 36-5 victory in a friendly against Knaresborough's newly-formed second XV.

Trees, the Yorkshire Merit Northern League One table-toppers, with six wins from six in the league, looked to be heading for a rout when centre Dave Harder finished a good backs move to score out wide after only two minutes.

But then they struggled to find any cohesion against a strong wind and determined opposition.

Nevertheless, just before the break they scored again when pressure from the forwards saw hooker Jack Gabbatiss crash over for a trademark try which Jack Daniels converted.

The second half saw Trees back to their best for 30 minutes, with prop Ben Morrison crashing over and Harder soon getting his second try, converted by Daniels.

Although Knaresborough got a try back, they could not stop winger Chris Cook extending the York outfit's lead.

Flanker Tom Wyles, after a long time out of the game, then marked his return to action by scoring from fu?ly 50 metres out, refusing to be stopped to score under the posts.

Daniels added another conversion to round off their scoring.

Knaresborough never stopped trying and they held sway for the last 10 minutes but Trees' defence held firm.