Bryan Redpath believes knowledge may prove power if Yorkshire Carnegie draw Bristol in play-offs

Yorkshire Carnegie's Seb Stegmann looks for space near the wing during Sunday's defeat to Bristol. Picture: Steve Riding.

Although they lost 23-7 at home to the Championship leaders yesterday, Carnegie were rarely troubled by the visitors’ attacking play and it was merely the boot of Gavin Henson that did most of the damage.

He struck six penalties and Redpath – whose side have fallen to fourth – admitted: “We had a lot of pressure and didn’t capitalise on two or three opportunities.

“I don’t think they were 16 points better than us overall but they took their kicks for goal and we were dumb with things like kicking a free kick to touch.

Yorkshire Carnegie head coach Bryan Redpath.

“There are bits of our game which we must still work on but I’m really delighted with our intent.

“That was right and the key thing now is to grasp it.

“We do know if we do get to the plays-off what we can face and what they (Bristol) are.

“We can take a lot from that.

“We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and created enough to come away with a lot more than what we did.”

Winger David Doherty saw a try harshly ruled out in the first half and Carnegie also missed a score right at the end due to a forward pass.

“That Doc’ one was a tough call but that’s life,” added Redpath, with a crowd of 2,984 drawn to Headingley by the likes of stars such as Wales hero Henson and Samoan World Cup forward Jack Lam.

“We missed that one late on, too, but they’re best team in the league so I don’t think we’re that far away.”

Former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield started at fly-half and looked comfortable especially with impressive centre Harry Leonard alongside at  No 12.

“Harry and Kev linked well and Joel (Hodgson) came on and made a good impression too,” added Redpath, whose side head to struggling Moseley on Saturday.

“We’ve a lot to be proud of.”