BOLSTERED by the return of six players after injury, Nestlé Rowntree RUFC gave a much improved performance to beat Knaresborough seconds 27-7 at Mille Crux.

After a tight first quarter, good handling put Rowntree full-back Paul Texford over and a John Atkin penalty saw them 8-0 up at half-time.

Powerful lock Brendan Gamble charged over from a close range penalty before Knaresborough replied when their centre outpaced the cover from halfway for a converted try.

’Trees responded with a penalty try awarded for preventing a certain push over try, then Gamble repeated his earlier effort for Atkin to land his second conversion.