LUCKLESS Nestle Rowntree RUFC threw away an 18-5 lead and missed a last-gasp conversion attempt to lose 24-23 at home to Stanley Rodillians.

It made it two defeats from two since their rise into Yorkshire Four but, despite the late agony, they showed they can compete at this level.

In a game of two halves at a very wet Mille Crux, Rowntree built a good lead.

Rods surged forward from the kick-off but Trees stopped them in their tracks and soon took control, being rewarded on 10 minutes with a penalty converted by Nick Thompson.

With Rods unable to cope with the relentless pressure, Trees got another penalty after 20 minutes and then on the half-hour prop Zak Hardy powered over for Thompson to convert.

As half-time approached, Rodillians launched their first attack of the game and scored a try out wide.

However, from the restart, Trees won the ball and made ground and right wing Mark Thomas crossed to make it 18-5.

The second half, though, saw Nestle start to give away daft penalties and Rods came back with two three-pointers.

Then a dropped pass gave the visitors an easy run-in to make it 18-18.

Two more penalties effectively gave Rods the win, despite the dramatic finale. Nestle's pack surged forward and, from a rolling mall, hooker Ryan Roodt crossed the whitewash. The conversion would have won the game, but it missed the target.

It is unlikely to get easier for Tress on Saturday as they go to Ossett, who have opened with two wins - the latest being a 41-7 victory at York RI. RI will hope to bounce back away to Mosborough.