YORK RI RUFC slipped to a 33-23 defeat at Hemsworth in Yorkshire Four.

Hemsworth, who are now second in the table, stormed into a 15-0 lead after just 20 minutes but young Chris Jones chipped the opposition and slipped the ball to Ben Hartop to score for RI. Lee O`Brien added the conversion to make it 15-7.

After conceding another penalty, RI went three further points behind but got back into the game courtesy of a Darren Lonsdale try. O`Brien added the conversion plus a further penalty to make the score 18-17 at the interval.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first with the home side scoring two quick tries to increase the lead to 30-17. O`Brien landed two penalties to reduce the lead to just seven points.

but Hemsworth's off half slotted over another penalty at the death.

RI spurned a penalty bonus point to go, instead, for the power play but Hemsworth kept them out to win 33-23.

The result leaves RI in ninth position with three points from their first three games of the season.