NESTLE Rowntree RUFC ended their regular Yorkshire Four (south east) campaign with a 37-17 defeat at home to Stocksbridge.

The result sees them complete this section of the season lying seventh in the eight-team table and they now go into the league's shield competition with three other teams alongside the bottom three from the north west division.

The top four from Yorkshire Four's two regional divisions, meanwhile, go into a mini-league to play for promotion to Yorkshire Three - with York RI among them.

Nestle, who went up from the merit leagues last year, had been hoping for an improved performance but things looked ominous early on with Stocksbridge running the ball whenever they could and scoring a converted try after only three minute.

Trees responded well and were rewarded for some forward pressure as hooker Ryan Roodt crossed from a lineout and driving maul. But Bridge hit back quickly with a try out wide aided by some poor tackling.

The game was being played at a cracking pace and after 20 minutes the Bridge backs scored another converted try only for Trees to hit back as left-wing Chris Cook finished a fine move.

Trees forwards were playing well and on the half-hour another good drive saw prop Connor Smith-Lynch crash over for Dave Harder to convert. But back came Bridge who scored via an overlap out wide to go in at the break 24-17 ahead.

That lead was increased with a penalty for offside and, while Trees mounted pressure, wrong options meant they could not score again.

Instead, Bridge added another penalty and a try out wide to complete a good entertaining game.

Nestle's season resumes in a fortnight but they have pencilled in a friendly at Old Leodensians for this Saturday, injuries permitting.

City rivals York RI, already assured of a top-four place, were handed a walkover victory by Stanley Rodillians and finished second in the table. They have another day off this Saturday prior to the start of the mini-league.