YORK RI WRUFC suffered their first defeat of the season 24-8 at home to local rivals and table-toppers Harrogate Ladies.

The visitors were the more eager side from kick-off, as RI began the game unusually quietly, Harrogate’s speed at the breakdown causing the hosts problems.

Having capitalised on this, as well as errors that resulted from the high winds, Harrogate soon had their noses in front with a converted try.

The visitors’ attack was relentless and – despite Rachel Demoraes’ and Charlotte Handley’s work at the back – they soon had a second try, but the conversion attempt was blown off course.

The second period saw a renewed RI side come out, Grace Field and Charlotte Warriner powering through the Harrogate lines on multiple occasions, resulting in broken play and both sides conceding penalties.

However, injuries abounded in the half, which resulted in 15 minutes of additional time added, a number of interchanges and the war cry: “If anyone is not bleeding, please come back on the pitch.”

One such incident, a Charlotte Weiner tackle, which resulted in a split lip and a bruised face, failed to prevent the third Harrogate try.

Kirsty Parr got RI’s first points, kicking a textbook drop goal after Ashleigh Lambert had been stopped on the try line.

Harrogate responded to having conceded, and restarted deep in RI’s half.

Once again, the wind caused trouble, as Sharon Little’s box kick was caught in the draught. It landed in Harrogate hands for them to go over and score their fourth and final try of the match.

RI responded well after the restart, and quick play on the back of the ruck sent Parr over for their first try.

It seemed the home side had left the comeback too late, and Harrogate left with five points.

Shannon Little was RI’s back of the match, while Grace Fields claimed their forward of the match and Charlotte Warriner was named by Harrogate as RI’s player of the match.

Katie Evans shone in only her second ever rugby match with her aggressive tackles and strong running.