INJURIES and unavailability made it a tough weekend for NEW Ravens Rugby League who travelled to Nottingham Outlaws with just ten players.

The hosts stepped up to help and loaned their visitors sufficient players to complete a team.

Nottingham opened the scoring in the third minute as Ravens got used to their new team mates.

Ravens debutant Dan Patrice made a barn storming run to score a spectacular first try for the club with David Wimbury added the extras to make it a 6-4 lead to the Ravens.

Ravens then lost their prop Adam Sisley to a severe hamstring injury, leaving them a man down.

Nottingham took advantage with five converted tries in 15 minutes, giving them a 34-6 lead.

Ravens hit back when Jonnie Mills crashed over the line for his first try of the game in 20 months to make the half time score 34-10.

After the restart Dylan Fennell broke the line and battled 15 metres up the pitch with three outlaws hanging off him. Captain Liam Dunne backed him up and scored a try which Wimbury again converted.

Mills continued the fight back two minutes later with his second try and Wimbury added the extras.

Some good defence from Ravens held the Outlaws for a while but tiredness was becoming a problem with only 12 men on the pitch and no substitutes available.

Two successive penalties gave the Outlaws a strong field possession and try out wide. Ravens No 9 was sent to the bin for 10 minutes leaving Ravens with a two-man disadvantage.

Despite this Ravens rallied and the captain lead by example to brush off tackles and score under the posts.

Lee Knight scored a well worked try for Ravens in the corner and Dunne followed with another putting his team just two points behind.

A fierce contest ensued and a heavy collision concussed Knight who left the field for assessment. Ravens were back to 11 players with 15 minutes to chase a famous victory.

In the 76th minute Outlaws used a two-man overlap and split the back line to score and convert. Ravens could not get back possession and a fantastic battle ended 36-42 to the hosts.

Ravens host Birmingham Bulldogs next Saturday at Hopwood Park. KO 2.30pm as well as hosting their first ever weekend junior festival with activities on Saturday including a disco in the evening and optional camping and fixtures on Sunday with teams from around the midlands.

For further details newravensrl.co.uk