NESTLE Rowntree's bid to finish runners-up in the the Yorkshire Central and North Merit League division one may have been 'hijacked' by neighbours York.

With Moortown 2nds already crowned champions, Trees were hoping to finish second but lost 24-20 at home to York 3rds in the local derby last weekend. The result means third place York are now only five points behind Trees with a game in hand.

Trees made a superb start and took the lead through a Jack Daniels penalty and a try from captain Greg Neill.

But they spurned a number of opportunities to widen the gap and York duly hit back with an unconverted try. Trees regained the upper hand when the forwards combined to send Fred Hudson over for a try. Daniels converted and Trees led 15-5.

York, however, were not done and scored a converted try on the half time whistle.

That seemed to demoralise Trees whose heads went down. They failed to take advantage of a couple of good openings before York made them pay with two converted tries.

John Thomson scored a late try to give Trees hope but another chance went begging and they had to settle for a single point. Final score: Trees 20 York 3rds 24.