YORK RI RUFC remain third in Yorkshire Four Premier despite a 10-3 defeat at runaway leaders Wibsey.

With the West Yorkshire pair of Wibsey and second-placed Ossett already guaranteed the two promotion spots to Yorkshire Three, RI are now just playing for pride.

RI got the first points on the board after a strong run from former Bingley Bees centre Richard Tafa. Wibsey lock Dave Wilkinson was penalised for a high tackle and visiting fly-half Chris Jones’ penalty from just inside the 22 on the angle had just enough to go over.

The lead only lasted until the 23rd minute, however, as Wibsey broke blind from a scrum and scrum-half Kyle Carter kicked ahead for full-back Carl Walker to touch down in the left-hand corner. Centre Robson Moore missed the difficult conversion but scored the hosts' second try 12 minutes later after a kick ahead by fly-half Luke Helliwell.

RI - missing a few regulars - were kept at bay by the table-toppers, while referee Patrick Smith had to talk to skippers Kite and Frazer Land, who was RI’s man of the match, on more than one occasion in order to either explain his thinking or keep control.

One of RI’s most dangerous forays was ended by a flying tackle by Kyle Carter on full-back Chris Piercy in midfield, but the potential try-saving effort came at some personal cost as he dislocated a shoulder which then popped back in, leaving the scrum-half in great pain.

RI host strugglers Bramley Phoenix on Saturday.

Meanwhile, North One East sides York, Pocklington and Malton & Norton, who all had the weekend off, are back in action on Saturday against West Leeds, Morpeth and Bridlington, respectively, following their break. York and Pock are at home and M&N away.

In Yorkshire One, Selby host Pontefract and in Yorkshire Four Shield, Nestle Rowntree play Burley.