NESTLE Rowntree RUFC's season ended in disappointment with a 23-15 defeat at Ossett 2nds in the Yorkshire Merit League central & north division one play-off semi-final.

Rowntree had finished runners-up in the table and Ossett down in sixth but the West Yorkshire side are much improved since being hammered by the York side at the start of the season.

Trees found this out early on as they were put on the back foot with Ossett running at them from the off, taking the lead with an early try.

Trees, tackling admirably, rallied well, especially through captain Greg Neill and the dependable Alex Robertshaw, and a good move saw hooker Jack Gabbatiss score out wide after 15 minutes.

Another Trees attack on the half-hour led to a Jack Daniels penalty.

However, the large Ossett forwards generally controlled the rucks and, at the start of the second half, a home penalty tied things up at 8-8.

From the restart, Ossett charged forward and scored a converted try and, having got on top, they extended their lead on the hour with a drop goal followed by another try when running the ball from deep.

Trees, 23-8 down, never gave up and were rewarded with a late try from centre Nick Thompson converted by Daniels, but a place in the final was not to be.