Thirsk 43 York RI III 10 - AFTER Thirsk's scheduled fixture against Guisborough fell through, they managed to pick up a late opposition in the shape of York RI.

Thirsk had to make a few positional changes to make up for players missing mainly in the back line. Hooker Will Ashby moved to centre hoping to use his pace out in space, which allowed prop Martin Sargent to move to hooker and Eric Windress played his first senior game for Thirsk at prop. He had a solid game in a tough position.

Thirsk's forwards performed well, winning clean ball for stand-in scrum-half Steve Wood, and it wasn't long before Thirsk ran in their first try through stand-off Steve Holden. Pete MacCalmont adding to the points with the conversion.

Five minutes later Thirsk went further ahead as the pack pushed RI into their own 22-metre area with persistent rucking over two to three phases before hooker Martin Sargent picked up at the back of the ruck and exploited a stretched defence to drive over. Again MacCalmont converted.

Thirsk were now on their game and allowed time and space to create, with Kiwi Holden in fine form Thirsk's backs enjoyed good ball to run at the visitors.

Thirsk scored again in this period through second row John Barr, in one of his few cameo appearances this season, having taken a back seat as coach. Once again MacCalmont made no mistake with the kick putting Thirsk 21-0 up.

RI did score a try from close range just before half-time but missed the conversion.

Thirsk started the second half brightly with forward dominance and the backs creating plenty of chances. RI defended desperately well but eventually Thirsk scored almost out of nothing through centre Will Ashby.

He received the ball on RI's 10-metre line and ran straight at the visitors' defence. He side-stepped two players before dummying the full back to touch down under the post.

Thirsk continued to dominate and prop Shaun Mason made good use of space and his strength to hand off a tackler before stretching for the line under the posts. The try was unconverted with MacCalmont struggling to find his range against the wind.

Thirsk scored their fifth try after good inter link work by scrum half Wood and No 8 Richard Head at a five metre scrum, Head going over unopposed. Holden scored the sixth and his second try before RI managed a consolation try in the last five minutes.

Saturday's game is away at Ripon