YORK RI RUFC Ladies maintained second place in Women’s North Challenge One as a last-ditch converted try gave them a 12-12 draw at third-placed Derby.
A second-half penalty try seemed to have won the game for the hosts, even though RI spent most of the period camped in their half.
But the visitors finally broke through thanks to fly-half Charlotte Warriner, and Kirsty Parr kept her nerve to level the score with the conversion on the final whistle.
The game had started at a frantic pace. Derby continually shipped the ball out to their fast centre but RI full-back Rachel Demoraes defended well.
As things calmed down, RI built some phases and were soon camped in Derby's 22. The hosts turned the ball over at a ruck but their relieving kick went nowhere in the wind and flanker Grace Field, despite being under considerable pressure, caught the ball and placed it down for RI's first try.
Derby responded quickly and squeezed in down the touchline.
But RI kept the pressure on, with Hannah Spooner denied a try on half-time.
The difficult conditions meant there were many knock-ons in the second half, and Derby got their penalty try following a scrum in RI's 22. But RI, spurred on, got their reward.
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