YORK RI drew 19-19 with Barnsley in a cracking top-of-the-table Women's North Two East clash.

After two comprehensive wins, RI travelled with much confidence and they were only denied victory by a late try.

They now have two games left , starting against Bishop Auckland at New Lane on Sunday (2.45pm), and a top-two finish is in sight.

RI started strongly against Barnsley, making early ground thanks to the forwards, led by Lauren van Buurren and opening the scoring inside five minutes as they used the width of the pitch and their speed out wide - Adebisi Adedeji send in Tasmin Putt, Freya Wilde converting.

Barnsley responded strongly, and, while RI held strong defensively, full-back Rachel Demoraes making several try-saving tackles, the hosts finally scored after 15 minutes in their visitors' half.

York put Barnsley on the back foot at the start of the second half.

The game began to stutter due to injuries on both sides but RI’s set-pieces remained solid and, with possession in hand, Shannon Little made a storming run down the wing and popped the ball to Putt, who went over for her second try.

Barnsley became frustrated as RI continually made ground and, despite good counter rucking, they gave away repeated penalties at the breakdown.

From the back of the scrum, scrum-half and captain Katie Rushton passed to Wilde, who, despite a nasty eye gash, dummied through and converted.

However, Barnsley again fought back to bag their second try and, although RI continued to press, the hosts brought on fresh legs and they made a good impact.

With minutes left, RI gave away three penalties in a row and, from close range, Barnsley crossed and converted to equalise.

Van Buuren and Demoraes were RI's players of the match.

Wilde and Putt, meanwhile, have been selected for the Yorkshire squad.