YORK RI Ladies maintained their 100 per cent start to the Women's North 2 East campaign with a hard-fought 12-0 win over Scarborough Valyries.

A tough top-of-the-table game was anticipated against a Scarborough side who likewise went into it without having tasted defeat thus far.

And so it followed, with two tries in the second half being the difference between the sides.

RI started well, with Tasmin Putt and Rachel Demoraes making some strong runs, but despite having the bulk of possession throughout the first half, Scarborough hold them off with some strong defence and the first half ended scoreless.

RI continued to press on the resumption and it finally paid off.

Scarborough gave away a penalty for a high tackle, after which a strong RI scrum led to Lauren Van Buuren making good ground after picking up from the base. Boro gave away another penalty close to their try line and RI captain Katie Rushton popped the ball to Adebisi Adebeji, who powered over the whitewash under the posts, Freya Wilde converting.

RI continued to mount pressure, with Van Buuren and Adedeji both denied tries under the posts as they were held up.

But they were rewarded for their strong set-pieces when Van Buuren picked the ball up from the back of a scrum five metres from the line and stretched over for their second try. Wilde's conversion attempt hit the wrong side of a post.

RI were just as strong in defence and repeatedly repelled Scarborough's attempts to make ground.

The forwards had an impressive game, led by the experienced Lizzie Prance, securing the possession and repeatedly turning the ball over.

York RI next face Ormskirk away in the Women's Cup on Sunday, November 22.

Meanwhile, errors cost Nestle Rowntree dearly when they entertained Castleford 3rds in a top-of-the-table Central North District League clash.

Trees contributed to an entertaining game from the off but an early mistake gave Cas a penalty and a 3-0 lead and, on 25 minutes, a lost ball in the tackle enabled Cas to attack and score a converted try.

Both defences were tackling their hearts out but an early second-half penalty from Nick Thompson saw Trees get back in the game and he soon added two more for his side to trail only 10-9.

They could well have then taken the lead but the referee ruled out a try as he was unsighted for the grounding.

Trees were also left frustrated when the referee did not allowed them advantage on two occasions as Castleford transgressed.

However, another lost ball saw Cas score another converted try on 70 minutes and they held out for a 17-9 victory.