GLOUCESTERSHIRE lost their hold on the Championship to a determined and ultimately superior Yorkshire side at Worcester’s Sixways. The defending champions, looking for a third successive win, were unable to deal with the power of the Yorkshire scrum and struggled to get possession in the second half as the 2010 champions took their chances against excellent Gloucestershire defence.

The match was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of Dominic Cullen, the Matson and former Gloucestershire under-20 player who suddenly passed away the previous weekend. Harvey Skelton opened his account with a penalty when Yorkshire were offside. From a five-metre lineout Yorkshire attacked and Ben Johnson crashed over. Greg Lound converted for a 7-3 lead.

Gloucestershire returned to the lead. From a lineout on the Yorkshire 22 the ball was moved to the left then down the middle creating space outside for skipper Harris Casson to charge over for a try. Skelton’s conversion made it 10-7.

A Lound penalty three minutes later tied the scores but Gloucestershire went ahead again five minutes later when Ricky Cano bulldozed his way over from a five metre lineout. Skelton converted.

After three phases close to the Gloucestershire line hooker Sam Kerry found himself in acres of space and raced in for the second Yorkshire try. Lound’s conversion tied the scores for a third time at 17-17. Skelton hit the post from a penalty in front of the posts on the stroke of half time and the sides turned around all square.

Yorkshire began to strangle possession in the second half and a fine cross-kick from Lound found Will Heylings, who crashed over for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed.

Lound extended the lead when the Gloucestershire scrum collapsed in front of the posts.

Skelton swerved and dummied past three players for a fine try but he failed to convert.

In injury time Gloucestershire were again penalised and Lound kicked his third penalty.