North Midlands 23 Yorkshire 34

North Midlands failed to follow up last week's narrow home win over Lancashire but there were only four points in it until the last minute and there is still a chance of making the Twickenham final.

It may be an outside chance, yet could happen if they beat Cheshire convincingly at Macclesfield next weekend and Yorkshire lose to Lancashire.

With Moseley's Ollie Thomas out injured, North Mids coach Duncan Hughes returned to fly-half action, three months after announcing his retirement from a playing career with Stourbridge and the England Counties XV.

Kicking conditions were difficult after a prematch deluge left loose water on a firm surface.

Even so, Hughes put over three of his six kicks, while Wharfedale centre Mark Bedworth landed four of seven for Yorkshire.

Otley wing Kyle Dench opened the scoring on 20 minutes, put over when Yorkshire won a North Mids defensive scrummage put-in, before captain Mark Evans, the Moseley flanker, charged down and grounded a clearance by Otley scrum-half Andy Brown to equalise.

Otley No 8 Glen Wilson, Yorkshire's captain, romped 30 yards through gaping defence to the posts, only for impressive Moseley counterpart James Rodwell to level again with an interception try from his own half.

Skilful downfield Yorkshire interpassing sent in Hull wing Danny Smith for their third try, but North Mids led 18-17 briefly after Hughes spanned half time with two penalty goals before Bedworth replied with one.

Bradford and Bingley full-back Ben Greaves latched on to a long, high, kick to the corner which was inadequately covered by the hosts for Yorkshire's fourth touchdown.

But replacement wing Ryan Watkins of Stourbridge helped create a try for Leicester Lions scrum-half Chris Townsend.

Then, with the last act of the game, Bedworth converted a try by Sedgley Park flanker Jon Skurr when North Mids spilled a penalty tap and run from defence.

* In the County Shield, Warwickshire made it two wins from two with a 22-10 victory over Durham at The Butts Stadium. Broadstreet fly-half Chris Brown added a penalty and two conversions to tries from club colleague Simon Morris, Kenilworth full-back Lee Cassell and replacement scrum-half Luke Talbot, of Barker's Butts.

Meanwhile, Staffordshire ended their County Plate campaign by beating Leicestershire 31-13 at Coalville.