YORK RI Ladies remain top of North East Two after a17-12 victory at third placed Scarborough Valkyries last weekend.

This fixture is always a challenge for RI and the first fifteen minutes were tight with much of the play being in the middle of the field.

RI started to build momentum, winning the scrums, and Lauren Van Buuren scored in the corner.

This settled RI's nerves and they continued to gain possession.

However, indiscipline crept into the game and RI lost ground for giving penalties away for offside and back chatting the referee.

RI's defence was on form and another set of quick hands gave winger Lucy Peet the opportunity to score a try converted by Kirsty Parr.

Scarborough were strong at the back but RI's hard work paid off when Bexs Homer pushed off four defenders to score in the corner on the stroke of half time.

The second half was a different story. Scarborough were much better organised and started to test the RI defence. Both fullback Rachel Demoreas and second row Fiona Parr made try saving tackles but Scarborough's pressure became too much and they went over the line.

RI became frustrated and had to defend for most of the second half. This led to further indiscipline in the eyes of the referee and Van Buuren was yellow carded for the last ten minutes of the game.

Scarborough pushed for the try line and scored a second converted try with the last play of the game.